NICOSIA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his call on Monday for the international recognition of northern Cyprus, marking his first visit to the Mediterranean state since his recent re-election.
Erdogan met with the leader of the north, Ersin Tatar, whose rule is acknowledged solely by Turkey, following his extension of power until 2028. Erdogan emphasized that recognition of the north is crucial if there is to be a return to the negotiating table.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when the Turkish army invaded the northern third of the island in response to a coup aimed at unifying the entire island with Greece. The United Nations has stationed peacekeepers in a buffer zone that separates the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) from the internationally recognized south.
While Turkey advocates for a “two-state solution,” Greek Cypriots, who form the majority in the south, have rejected this approach. The Republic of Cyprus, along with the international community, supports a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in accordance with a UN framework.
Erdogan’s Election Performance in Northern Cyprus
Despite comfortably winning the recent runoff election, Erdogan lagged behind his secular rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu by 15 points in the northern Cyprus portion of the vote. Around 144,000 voters, including Turkish settlers, troops, and Turkish Cypriots holding Turkish citizenship, were registered in northern Cyprus.
Erdogan’s performance was partly impacted by the economic crisis affecting Turkey, which has also undermined the North’s economy, heavily reliant on Ankara’s support. Analysts also attribute his lower support to Kilicdaroglu’s more accommodating stance on the status issue during the campaign.
During his joint appearance with Tatar, Erdogan rejected any compromises, reiterating the clear and unwavering demands of the Turkish Cypriots. Tatar emphasized the presence of two distinct peoples in Cyprus.
The status of the island has been a protracted dispute, fueling tensions across the Mediterranean region for decades, particularly due to the discovery of significant energy deposits in the area. It has also strained Turkey’s relationship with Greece and the European Union. With over 35,000 troops stationed in the north, Turkey remains a significant player in the region.
Formal UN-sponsored peace talks have been absent for nearly six years. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, who won his own runoff election in February, seeks a more prominent role for the European Union in resolving the Cyprus issue.
