The General Secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, made an assessment following the Geneva summit.
Noting that discussions on a federation were no longer on the table, Hasipoğlu stressed that during the meeting in Geneva, the Republic of Türkiye stood behind the proposals reiterated by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
“Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan displayed a very clear stance, and our position has now been confirmed. We no longer discussed a federation. We held a summit where the federation chapter was closed” he said.
The General Secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, evaluated the Geneva Summit during a television program he attended in Istanbul after the summit.
Stressing the significance of the Geneva Summit, Hasipoğlu stated that the Turkish side did not want to discuss a federation at the table but instead put forward proposals aimed at changing the current status quo and existing parameters.
“What were these [proposals]? Our demand for sovereign equality and equal international status. As you mentioned, we have been discussing federation for over 40 years— a bi-zonal, bi-communal structure with a single sovereignty and political equality, as defined by the UN parameters. We have always debated the Cyprus issue within this framework. However, the Greek Cypriot side interpreted these parameters differently from us, and we could never reach a consensus.
But what was the Greek Cypriot strategy? To keep us trapped at the negotiating table while using the so-called ‘Republic of Cyprus,’ which they have unlawfully taken over, to engage with the world. Their goal was to lock us into endless negotiations under the guise of discussing federation with the Turks—just for appearances. But we have broken this cycle” Hasipoğlu said.
Stressing that the Republic of Türkiye stood behind the proposals reiterated by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) during the Geneva meeting, he said, “Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, displayed a very clear stance. Our position has now been confirmed, and we no longer discussed federation. We held a summit where the federation chapter was closed. This was the most significant outcome for us.”
Hasipoğlu highlighted the importance of establishing and enhancing trust, stating that this could be achieved through the initiation of a cooperation process.
Referring to the meeting planned to be held again in July under the same format, the UBP General Secretary noted that the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus would monitor the process, and these issues would be brought back to the agenda in July.
Hasipoğlu underlined that the Greek Cypriots would eventually have to recognize the sovereignty of the Turkish side, stressing that there was no alternative.