Foreign relations of Cyprus

An official negotiation process on the Cyprus issue can only be started for a solution based on sovereign equality, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Jan. 13. 

Turkey and Greece's foreign ministers are planning to meet in the coming weeks, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Jan. 7. 

Authorities in Cyprus should consider stripping citizenship from a dozen individuals over their alleged involvement in acts of theft and fraud, according to the findings of a probe into 42 foreign nationals who obtained a Cypriot passport in exchange for millions in investments.

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Dec. 25 said the town of Varosha, once a long closed-off area, could now be viewed as an open region.

Ersin Tatar, speaking during his visit to the Bayrak Radio Television Corporation's 57th foundation anniversary, said the organization contributed to the will of Turkish Cypriots.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday said that Ankara no longer considers the "federation project" for the reunification of Cyprus as a "sustainable" plan.

In a post on Twitter referring to his meeting with UN special envoy Jane Holl Lute, Cavusoglu said that the "Turkish side promotes two-state settlement based on equal sovereignty."

The EU leaders should comprehend the strategic importance of the bloc's relations with Turkey and should not allow any initiative that would hinder ties, Turkey's presidential spokesman said on Dec. 11.

The EU missed an opportunity of cooperation in the region by ignoring the rights of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, said the presidency of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has ruled out negotiations over the island resuming where they left off three years ago, the country's president said on Dec. 1. 

Turkey on Nov. 27 rejected a "non-binding" resolution by the European Parliament against Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the Varosha and Cyprus issues.

"We completely reject the non-binding resolution adopted by the MEPs on our country and the TRNC," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Feb. 5 warned against deepening distrust between Turkey and the European Union and said ties are passing through a very critical period.

The minister called on the EU to open a new page in accession talks which has been stalled for the past few years.