Using strict and clearly condemnatory language, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs comments on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, once again bringing to the fore the narrative of sovereign equality and a two state solution.
Referring to Security Council resolution 2815 (2026), Ankara notes that the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus has been extended for another year, stressing its support for the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The statement focuses on the fact that the extension was carried out, as it claims, without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side, which Turkey describes as one of the two equal sovereign peoples of the island.
Vague legitimacy and warnings
At a second level, the Turkish Foreign Ministry raises the issue of the legal basis for the continuation of the Peacekeeping Force’s activities on the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, pointing out that these activities are carried out solely thanks to the good will of its authorities. In the same context, a clear warning is issued that if a legal basis is not established soon, any measures taken by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will have the full support of the Motherland and Guarantor Turkey.
The Yigitler Pila road and allegations of bias
Particular reference is made to the Yigitler Pila road, which is described as a humanitarian project aimed at providing direct access for Turkish Cypriots of the village of Pila to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The statement attributes delays to the project to the failure of the Peacekeeping Force to implement a previous agreement, allegedly due to pressure from the Greek Cypriot side, which Ankara considers incompetent on this issue. At the same time, it denounces the absence from the resolution of references to numerous violations of the buffer zone, citing indicative cases such as the Astromeritis Evrychou road and a university building in Pyla.
Questioning the role of UNFICYP
The statement further escalates its tone by directly questioning the usefulness of the Peacekeeping Force, noting that peace on the island for half a century is attributed to the Turkish Armed Forces and to Turkey’s effective guarantee. From this perspective, serious questions are raised about the existence of a force which, according to Ankara, fails to demonstrate a fair and balanced stance in the buffer zone.
Rejection of old models and a call for realism
The Turkish Foreign Ministry rejects the continued reference by the Security Council to methods that have been tried for decades, judging that they do not contribute to resolving the Cyprus issue. On the contrary, it argues that they delay a fair and sustainable solution and calls on the United Nations to treat both sides equally, making sincere efforts towards a settlement.
Two states as the most realistic solution
In conclusion, the statement strongly reiterates the position that the most realistic solution to the Cyprus issue is the coexistence of two states on the island. Ankara calls on the Security Council and the international community to accept this reality, to confirm the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people, and to pave the way for a future of cooperation, regional stability and prosperity.
Source: Sigmalive- Maria Zacharaki
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