Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that the Cyprus issue is "not insoluble" and that a federal solution would be better for all Cypriots than the "unacceptable" status quo.

Recent statements from Turkish officials suggest that Ankara has no plans to back away from its energy plans in the Eastern Mediterranean, including sea areas under Cyprus's jurisdiction.

The Turkish side is still optimistic for resuming reunification talks for the divided island of Cyprus following a failed process in 2017.

There is no justification for excluding the will of Turkish Cypriot people in drilling activities around the island, said Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) premier on Friday, rebuffing Greek Cyprus’ unilateral natural gas drilling efforts. 

Cyprus has accused Turkey of obstructing a drilling rig from reaching an exploration area in the east Mediterranean. The Italian energy firm Eni was set to undertake exploratory drilling for natural gas.

Trying to woo nationalists, fascists, religious fanatics and such segments of the Greek Cypriot society that delivered oaths on hand grenades to "drink Turkish Cypriot society," repeating at every opportunity that the "majority cannot succumb to the minority," and at the same time trying to fool Turks with some empty "we want federation" rhetoric must be a very tiring occupation.

Whatever Turkey and Turkish Cypriots say, the international community perceives the Turkish Cypriot state as a subsidiary of Turkey rather than a full-fledged entity with some degree of sovereignty. This perception, also cultivated by the Greek Cypriot-hijacked Cyprus Republic, has also been one of the impediments to a resolution of the Cyprus problem.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused the Greek Cypriot side of not wanting a solution to the Cyprus problem in Crans-Montana.

Speaking to the Turkish state television station TRT, Cavusoglu also claimed that the Greek Cypriot side tried to put Turkey in a difficult position using false information.

Everyone has an idea about the intractability of the Cyprus problem as well as the need to find a resolution for it. What kind of settlement should the island have? More than 50 years of intercommunal talks have failed many times in many attempts to resolve the problem.

Following Espen Barth Eide, Stephane Dujarric the Secretary-General’s representative in New York also sent a message to the two leaders in Cyprus repeating that they need to reflect on the situation created, clearly indicating that they would be the ones to decide on the next steps regarding the Cyprus issue.