In a significant address at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, September 26, 2025, Ersin Tatar, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), called for a transformative approach to resolving the long-standing Cyprus issue. Speaking after a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Tatar emphasized the need for a solution that reflects the current realities on the ground, moving away from the federal-based frameworks that have repeatedly failed over the past five decades. His remarks signal a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to address one of the world’s most protracted conflicts, advocating for practical cooperation and mutual respect between the island’s two communities.
Tatar’s statements come at a time when Cyprus remains deeply divided, with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities locked in a dispute that has defied resolution despite numerous diplomatic interventions. The TRNC president underscored that negotiations centered on federal solutions have consistently fallen short, leaving both sides at an impasse. He pointed to the failure of these talks as evidence that a new paradigm is necessary—one that prioritizes the distinct identities, democratic institutions, and aspirations of the two peoples on the island.
The Cyprus issue, a complex and multifaceted conflict, has its roots in the ethnic tensions that erupted in the early 1960s. These tensions forced Turkish Cypriots to retreat into enclaves for their safety, a situation that escalated dramatically in 1974 when a Greek Cypriot coup, backed by aspirations of uniting the island with Greece, prompted Türkiye’s military intervention as a guarantor power. This intervention, aimed at protecting Turkish Cypriots from violence and persecution, led to the establishment of the TRNC in 1983. Since then, the island has remained divided, with the Greek Cypriot-led Republic of Cyprus in the south and the TRNC in the north, recognized only by Türkiye.
Tatar’s call for a new approach is grounded in his belief that any sustainable solution must acknowledge the sovereign equality and international status of the TRNC. He argued that the two communities must work together on practical initiatives that foster trust and cooperation, even in the absence of a comprehensive political settlement. During his meeting with Guterres, Tatar referenced agreements reached in March and July 2025 with the Greek Cypriot side, which aimed to build confidence and lay the groundwork for new initiatives. These agreements, he noted, reflect a commitment to constructive engagement and provide a foundation for progress.
The TRNC president expressed optimism about an upcoming trilateral meeting to be held under the UN’s auspices, involving himself, the Greek Cypriot leadership, and the UN Secretary-General. Tatar stated that he would approach the meeting with goodwill, hoping it would lead to tangible outcomes on issues such as the opening of new border crossings, improving interconnectivity, and addressing shared challenges like electricity and water supply. “These steps will improve daily life and strengthen people-to-people communication across the island,” Tatar said, emphasizing the importance of practical measures to bridge the divide between the two communities.
At the heart of Tatar’s message was a call for cultural cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot peoples. He stressed that the two communities, each with its own democratic institutions and distinct identity, must prioritize collaboration in areas such as trade, public health, environmental protection, and resource management. Tatar highlighted the urgency of such cooperation in addressing global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and energy security, which transcend political boundaries and require joint action. “My fundamental message is clear: the two peoples of Cyprus urgently need to establish cultural cooperation,” he declared, underscoring that such efforts would foster mutual respect and dignity.
Tatar’s vision for cooperation is rooted in the principle of equality, a cornerstone of his approach to negotiations. He argued that any future arrangement must respect the sovereign equality of both sides, rejecting solutions that prioritize one community over the other. By focusing on practical, mutually beneficial initiatives, Tatar believes the two sides can build trust and create a foundation for lasting peace. He cited examples such as joint efforts in environmental conservation and public health as areas where cooperation could yield immediate benefits for both communities, even as broader political questions remain unresolved.
The Cyprus issue has long been a source of regional tension, with its complexities compounded by the involvement of external powers. Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom serve as guarantor states under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, which established Cyprus as an independent nation. However, efforts to resolve the dispute have repeatedly faltered. A notable attempt in 2017, held in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, collapsed despite the involvement of the guarantor powers and the UN. The failure of that initiative, like others before it, underscored the challenges of reconciling the divergent aspirations of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
One of the most significant setbacks occurred in 2004, when a UN-backed plan, known as the Annan Plan, was put to a referendum. While Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly supported the plan, which proposed a bizonal, bicommunal federation, Greek Cypriots rejected it, effectively blocking a potential resolution. That same year, the Republic of Cyprus, controlled by the Greek Cypriot administration, was admitted to the European Union, further complicating the dynamics of the conflict. The EU’s decision to admit a divided Cyprus has been a point of contention for the TRNC, which remains excluded from the international community despite its efforts to gain recognition.
Tatar’s remarks also touched on broader regional and global issues, reflecting the TRNC’s engagement with the international community. Addressing the ongoing crisis in Palestine, Tatar expressed deep concern over what he described as the “genocide” against the Palestinian people. He reiterated the TRNC’s support for the recognition of the State of Palestine, welcoming recent decisions by several countries to formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood. This stance aligns with the TRNC’s broader advocacy for self-determination and sovereignty, drawing parallels with its own struggle for international recognition.
The Cyprus issue remains a deeply entrenched challenge, with historical grievances, competing nationalisms, and geopolitical interests shaping the discourse. The ethnic violence of the 1960s, culminating in the events of 1974, left deep scars on both communities, fostering mistrust that has persisted for generations. Turkish Cypriots, who make up approximately 18% of the island’s population, have long argued that their security and rights can only be guaranteed through a framework that ensures their equal status. Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, have historically favored a unitary state or a federation that prioritizes majority rule, a position that has often clashed with Turkish Cypriot demands for political equality.
Tatar’s call for a new approach reflects a growing frustration with the status quo, both within the TRNC and among its supporters. He argued that the repeated failure of federal-based negotiations demonstrates the need for a more pragmatic and realistic framework. By focusing on cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, and environmental protection, Tatar believes the two sides can build trust and create a more conducive environment for future negotiations. His emphasis on people-to-people communication underscores the importance of grassroots initiatives in overcoming the divisions that have long defined the island.
The TRNC president’s vision is not without its challenges. The Greek Cypriot leadership has historically been reluctant to accept proposals that grant equal status to the TRNC, viewing it as a step toward legitimizing a state they do not recognize. The Republic of Cyprus, as a member of the EU, wields significant diplomatic influence, which has often been used to marginalize the TRNC on the international stage. Furthermore, the involvement of external actors, including Türkiye, Greece, and the EU, adds layers of complexity to the conflict, with each party pursuing its own strategic interests.
Despite these obstacles, Tatar’s remarks signal a willingness to engage constructively with the Greek Cypriot side and the international community. His optimism about the upcoming trilateral meeting reflects a belief that incremental progress, through practical measures like new border crossings and joint infrastructure projects, can pave the way for broader reconciliation. By prioritizing issues that affect the daily lives of Cypriots on both sides of the divide, Tatar hopes to create a momentum for dialogue that has been absent in recent years.
The Cyprus issue is not only a local concern but also a matter of regional and international significance. The island’s strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean, coupled with its proximity to major energy resources, has made it a focal point for geopolitical competition. The discovery of natural gas reserves in the region has further complicated the conflict, with disputes over maritime boundaries and resource rights adding new dimensions to the negotiations. Tatar’s call for cooperation in resource management reflects an awareness of these challenges and a desire to address them through dialogue and mutual benefit.
As the UN prepares to host the trilateral meeting, the international community will be closely watching for signs of progress. The failure of past initiatives, including the 2004 referendum and the 2017 Crans-Montana talks, has left many skeptical about the prospects for a breakthrough. However, Tatar’s emphasis on practical cooperation and his willingness to engage with goodwill offer a glimmer of hope. By focusing on shared challenges and opportunities, such as climate change and energy security, the two sides may find common ground that transcends the political divisions of the past.
In conclusion, President Ersin Tatar’s address at the UN marks a significant moment in the ongoing quest for a resolution to the Cyprus issue. His call for a new approach, grounded in the realities of the island’s division and the need for cooperation, challenges the traditional frameworks that have dominated negotiations for decades. By advocating for practical measures that improve daily life and foster cultural exchange, Tatar is seeking to build bridges between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. While the path to a comprehensive settlement remains fraught with challenges, his vision of equality, mutual respect, and pragmatic collaboration offers a potential roadmap for progress. As the trilateral meeting approaches, the world will be watching to see whether this renewed push for dialogue can finally move Cyprus closer to a lasting peace.
