Erdoğan dismisses UN plan for federated Cyprus, reaffirms commitment to two-state peace deal

Türkiye's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has poured cold water on a UN-backed plan for reunifying Cyprus, reaffirming his support for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots have dismissed as a non-starter. 

Speaking at an event in the north to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion that split the island along ethnic lines, Erdoğan ruled out resuming talks based on the Annan Plan which proposed the establishment of a United Republic of Cyprus, a federation of two states.

That plan was put to a referendum in 2004 and was approved by 65% of Turkish Cypriots in the north. But more than 75% of the Greek Cypriots in the south rejected the proposed division of the island.

While Erdoğan has previously rejected the UN’s federation plan, Greece and Greek Cypriots had hoped he might soften his position.

"You cannot bathe in the same water twice. You won't get anywhere by ignoring the facts on the island. We believe that a federal solution is not possible in Cyprus," Erdoğan said.

His remarks may further complicate UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' efforts to get both sides back to the negotiating table.

Erdoğan's comments were echoed by Ersin Tatar, the current president of the territory known in Türkiye as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

"The dominant and imposing attitude of the unchanging Greek Cypriot mentality has caused all negotiation processes to fail," he said, referring to talks which have stalled since 2017.

"The Greek side still insists on a solution, under the name of a federal solution, in which the Turkish Cypriots will be in a minority position and turn Cyprus into a unitary structure within the European Union. This solution has the aim of destroying our state and sovereignty by demanding the removal