'No conditions for federal solution on Cyprus'

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The Turkish Cypriot foreign minister said Wednesday that necessary conditions for a federal solution on the Cyprus issue are not in place.

Kudret Ozersay, who is also the deputy prime minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said they need to part ways from established patterns on Cyprus.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2nd International Conference on the Cyprus issue at Near East University in Lefkosa.

"The necessary conditions for a federal partnership to be founded and sustained, like it or not, do not exist today on this island," Ozersay said, adding that new ideas should be considered.

"These new ideas and new dialogue process have to be in compliance with the conditions on the island," Ozersay said.

He said there are difference of opinions even on the basic parameters for a solution on the Cyprus issue.

Ozersay said the Greek Cypriot side does not have the will to share the government and wealth.

He said the island does not have a federal culture or experience.

"This is a fact and it should be written down," Ozersay said.

He said the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side do not trust each other.

"We do no longer want UN envoys on Cyprus who will show courage after their retirement," Ozersay said.

Ozersay added that Brexit is also important for Cyprus, as one more guarantor state will be out of the EU.

In 1974, following a coup aiming at Cyprus’ annexation by Greece, Ankara had to intervene as a guarantor power. In 1983, the TRNC was founded.

The decades since have seen several attempts to resolve the dispute, all ending in failure. The latest one, held with the participation of the guarantor countries -- Turkey, Greece, and the U.K. -- ended in 2017 in Switzerland.

In 2004, in twin referendums, the plan of then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was accepted by Turkish Cypriots but rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

Talks have focused on a federal model, based on the political equality of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides, but Greek Cypriots’ rejection of such a solution, including the Annan plan, led to the emergence of other models.

In a recent report, current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said that "new ideas" may be needed for a settlement on the island.