In a press conference held at the Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York on Saturday, September 27, 2025, during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) expressed deep concerns over the increasing militarization of southern Cyprus, also known as the Republic of Cyprus. The remarks came in the wake of informal talks with the Greek Cypriot administration, which failed to yield any common ground for negotiation, further highlighting the deep-seated divisions that have plagued the island for decades. Tatar’s statements underscored the TRNC’s evolving stance, its growing confidence backed by Türkiye, and the persistent challenges in resolving the Cyprus issue, a conflict that has defied resolution despite years of diplomatic efforts.
Southern Cyprus Armament: A Growing Concern
President Tatar voiced alarm over what he described as the excessive armament of southern Cyprus, particularly through agreements reportedly made with Israel. He emphasized that the Greek Cypriot administration’s actions contradict their stated commitment to peace and stability on the island. “The Greek Cypriot side claims to want peace and stability, but they are constantly arming themselves,” Tatar told reporters, pointing out that the TRNC had formally raised these concerns with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The TRNC’s leadership views this military buildup as a direct threat, increasing tensions and creating unease across the island.
The armament of southern Cyprus is not a new issue, but Tatar’s remarks reflect growing apprehension about its implications. The Republic of Cyprus has, in recent years, pursued defense agreements with several countries, including Israel, the United States, and France, to bolster its military capabilities. These agreements have included the procurement of advanced weaponry, joint military exercises, and enhanced cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity and maritime security. While the Greek Cypriot administration justifies these moves as necessary for national security, particularly in light of regional tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the TRNC perceives them as provocative and destabilizing.
Tatar argued that the militarization of southern Cyprus exacerbates an already fragile situation on the island, where two communities—Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots—have been divided since the 1960s. The TRNC, which declared its independence in 1983, remains unrecognized by the international community except for Türkiye, its staunchest ally. The lack of recognition has left the Turkish Cypriot community under significant economic and political restrictions, a point Tatar highlighted during his press conference. “The Turkish Cypriots have been under restrictions since 1963,” he said, referencing the period when ethnic violence forced Turkish Cypriots into enclaves for their safety.
Stalled Negotiations and the Demand for Sovereign Equality
The informal talks held under UN auspices in New York this week were intended to explore possibilities for restarting negotiations to resolve the Cyprus issue. However, Tatar made it clear that no progress was made, primarily because the Greek Cypriot administration continues to reject the TRNC’s demand for sovereign equality. “There is no common ground because southern Cyprus still does not accept the TRNC’s demand for sovereign equality,” he stated. This fundamental disagreement has effectively stalled any prospects for formal negotiations.
For decades, the Cyprus problem has revolved around competing visions for the island’s future. The Greek Cypriot administration, recognized internationally as the Republic of Cyprus, has historically pushed for a federal solution that would reunite the island under a single government with power-sharing arrangements between the two communities. In contrast, the TRNC, with Türkiye’s backing, has shifted its position in recent years, advocating for a two-state solution based on the recognition of two sovereign states with equal rights. Tatar emphasized this paradigm shift, noting that it has strengthened the TRNC’s foundation. “The Turkish Cypriots have undergone a paradigm shift in negotiations in the last five years,” he said, underscoring the move away from a federal model toward a two-state framework.
This shift in policy reflects a growing frustration among Turkish Cypriots with the lack of progress in negotiations and the perceived intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side. The TRNC argues that a federal solution is no longer viable, given the history of failed talks and the lack of trust between the two communities. Instead, it seeks international recognition of its sovereignty and equal status, a position that has been met with resistance from the Greek Cypriot administration and the broader international community, particularly the European Union, which recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus as the legitimate government of the island.
A Stronger TRNC Backed by Türkiye
Despite the challenges posed by its lack of international recognition, the TRNC is in a stronger position today than in the past, according to President Tatar. He attributed this to the unwavering support of Türkiye, which has not only provided political and military backing but also helped strengthen the TRNC’s economic and institutional resilience. “Now, with Türkiye’s full support, and Ankara’s strengthening position in the world, the TRNC is in a stronger position on the island of Cyprus compared to the past,” Tatar noted.
Türkiye’s role as a guarantor power, alongside Greece and the United Kingdom, has been central to the Cyprus issue since the island’s independence in 1960. The 1974 Turkish military intervention, prompted by a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at annexing the island to Greece, led to the establishment of the TRNC and the division of the island into two distinct entities. Türkiye’s continued presence in northern Cyprus, including its military forces, remains a point of contention for the Greek Cypriot administration, which views it as an occupation. For Turkish Cypriots, however, Türkiye’s support is seen as essential for their security and survival in the face of ongoing restrictions and isolation.
Tatar also highlighted the TRNC’s growing economic and cultural ties with the rest of the world, despite its unrecognized status. “The TRNC trades with many countries and attracts tourists and students from numerous countries,” he said, pointing to the resilience of the Turkish Cypriot economy. The TRNC has developed a robust tourism sector, with its Mediterranean coastline and historical sites drawing visitors from Türkiye, Europe, and beyond. Additionally, the presence of universities in northern Cyprus has made it a hub for international students, particularly from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. These developments have helped the TRNC establish a degree of economic self-sufficiency, even in the face of international embargoes and restrictions.
The institutional structure of the TRNC has also become more entrenched, according to Tatar. “The system is now so well-established that no one can easily disrupt the institutional structure,” he said, emphasizing that the Greek Cypriot administration has no authority over northern Cyprus. This assertion reflects the TRNC’s determination to assert its sovereignty and resist any attempts to undermine its institutions or governance.
The Cyprus Problem: A Historical Perspective
The Cyprus issue is one of the longest-running conflicts in modern history, with roots dating back to the early 20th century. The island, strategically located in the Eastern Mediterranean, has been a focal point of contention between its two main communities—Greek Cypriots, who form the majority, and Turkish Cypriots, who constitute a significant minority. The conflict intensified in the 1960s, when ethnic violence erupted following the breakdown of the power-sharing government established under the 1960 Constitution. Turkish Cypriots, facing attacks and discrimination, withdrew into enclaves, marking the beginning of the island’s division.
The 1974 coup, orchestrated by the Greek junta and supported by Greek Cypriot nationalists, aimed to achieve “enosis,” or the union of Cyprus with Greece. This prompted Türkiye’s intervention as a guarantor power, citing its responsibility to protect the Turkish Cypriot community. The intervention resulted in the division of the island, with Turkish forces occupying the northern third, where the TRNC was later established. The Greek Cypriot administration retained control of the southern part, which became the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.
Since then, numerous attempts to resolve the Cyprus issue have failed. The United Nations has played a central role in mediating negotiations, but efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement have repeatedly stalled. A notable example is the 2004 Annan Plan, a UN-proposed framework for reunifying Cyprus under a federal system. While Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of the plan in a referendum, Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected it, leading to its collapse. The same year, the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union, further complicating the dynamics of the conflict, as the EU recognizes only the Greek Cypriot administration as the legitimate government of the island.
The most recent major attempt at reunification took place in 2017 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, under the auspices of the UN and guarantor powers Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Despite high hopes, the talks ended in failure, with both sides unable to bridge their differences on key issues such as security arrangements, territorial adjustments, and power-sharing. Since then, negotiations have remained largely dormant, with occasional informal talks, such as those held in New York this week, failing to produce breakthroughs.
Regional and Geopolitical Implications
The Cyprus issue is not just a local conflict but one with significant regional and geopolitical ramifications. The Eastern Mediterranean has become a hotspot for tensions in recent years, driven by disputes over maritime boundaries, energy resources, and regional influence. The discovery of natural gas reserves in the region has further complicated the Cyprus issue, as both the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC claim rights to explore and exploit these resources. The Republic of Cyprus has signed agreements with international energy companies and neighboring countries, including Israel and Egypt, to develop offshore gas fields, moves that the TRNC and Türkiye have contested as violating Turkish Cypriot rights.
Türkiye, a rising regional power, has taken a more assertive stance in the Eastern Mediterranean, conducting its own exploration activities and signing a maritime delimitation agreement with the TRNC. These actions have drawn criticism from the EU and the United States, which accuse Türkiye of violating international law. Türkiye, in turn, argues that it is defending the rights of Turkish Cypriots, who have been excluded from energy-related decisions by the Greek Cypriot administration.
The armament of southern Cyprus, as highlighted by President Tatar, must also be seen in this broader geopolitical context. The Republic of Cyprus’s defense agreements with Israel, the United States, and others are part of a strategy to strengthen its position in the region and counterbalance Türkiye’s influence. For the TRNC, these developments are alarming, as they not only increase the military disparity between the two sides but also risk escalating tensions in an already volatile region.
The Path Forward: Challenges and Prospects
The failure of this week’s informal talks in New York underscores the significant challenges to resolving the Cyprus issue. The TRNC’s insistence on sovereign equality and a two-state solution is at odds with the Greek Cypriot administration’s vision of a federal reunification. The lack of common ground, as Tatar noted, makes the resumption of formal negotiations unlikely in the near term. Moreover, the Greek Cypriot administration’s refusal to recognize the TRNC’s sovereignty or engage with it on equal terms further complicates the prospects for dialogue.
The international community’s role in the Cyprus issue remains critical but fraught with difficulties. The UN has consistently called for renewed efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement, but its ability to bridge the gap between the two sides is limited by their divergent positions. The EU’s involvement adds another layer of complexity, as its recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as the sole legitimate government of the island has been a point of contention for the TRNC and Türkiye.
For the TRNC, the focus remains on strengthening its position, both domestically and internationally. President Tatar’s remarks reflect a growing confidence in the TRNC’s ability to assert its sovereignty and build resilience in the face of ongoing challenges. Türkiye’s support will continue to be a cornerstone of this strategy, providing the TRNC with the political, economic, and military backing needed to navigate its isolation.
Conclusion
The Cyprus issue remains one of the most intractable conflicts in the world, with deep historical roots and complex geopolitical dimensions. President Ersin Tatar’s statements in New York highlight the growing tensions on the island, driven by the Greek Cypriot administration’s armament and the lack of progress in negotiations. The TRNC’s shift toward a two-state solution, backed by Türkiye’s unwavering support, marks a significant evolution in its approach to the conflict. However, the absence of common ground and the entrenched positions of both sides suggest that a resolution remains elusive. As the Eastern Mediterranean continues to be a flashpoint for regional rivalries, the Cyprus issue will likely remain a key challenge for policymakers and diplomats seeking to promote stability and cooperation in the region.
