The Presidency has strongly criticized recent statements by UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, Colin Stewart, saying they are “not in line with his mandate” and undermine the UN’s neutrality.
In a written statement, the Presidency affirmed full institutional respect for the UN Secretary-General and the UN mission, but said Stewart’s remarks raise serious concerns about the UN’s responsibility to remain equally distant from both sides.
It noted that Stewart’s term will end on August 9 and that the Turkish Cypriot side will remember him as an official who failed to build trust between the sides, damaged perceptions of neutrality, and neglected the people’s legitimate humanitarian demands.
The statement reaffirmed that the Turkish Cypriot side has repeatedly demonstrated its will for a solution based on the reality of two peoples, two democracies, and two States in Cyprus — and that a lasting, just settlement can only be achieved by acknowledging this reality.
“Characterizing the Turkish Cypriot vision of sovereign equality and equal international status as a proposal ‘not to be taken seriously’ is incompatible with the UN mission’s impartiality. President Ersin Tatar has repeatedly conveyed this framework to international counterparts, with Türkiye’s full support standing as an example of solidarity behind our people’s legitimate demands,” read the statement.
The Presidency also rejected claims that the Turkish Cypriot people are dependent because they trade only with Türkiye, saying such arguments ignore the historical and legal context.
It stressed that the people live under “unjust and unlawful isolation” that deprives them of fundamental human rights.
The statement accused Stewart of turning the humanitarian Yiğitler–Pile road project into an attempt to give land to the Greek Cypriot side, blocking the process and undermining trust in the UN.
It said the Turkish Cypriot side had constructively proposed opening new crossing points, including Haspolat and Akıncılar, while rejecting Greek Cypriot demands that would turn TRNC territory into a transit route on security and sovereignty grounds.
“Türkiye is far more than a guarantor for the Turkish Cypriot people — it is a historical partner in our security, existence, and future. Defining this relationship through fear distorts reality and undermines the environment for a solution,” read the statement.
It stressed that the Turkish Cypriot People do not see the current status quo as a choice, and that their struggle for sovereignty, security, and dignity cannot be ignored.
The UN, it said, must not exclude one side, but help create common ground based on equality.
It recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side attended informal summits in March and July 2025 in good faith, but insisted that both sides must take part as actors with sovereign equality and equal international status for any process to succeed.
The Presidency concluded by saying the UN’s role is not to dictate to the Turkish Cypriots, but to respect the will of both sides.
It stressed that this determination will continue, shaped by the historical experience and legitimate struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people, and called on the UN mission to show the same respect.
BRT
