Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reiterated Ankara’s position that no proposal on the Cyprus issue can succeed unless it recognises what he described as the “sovereign equality” and “equal international status” of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Erdoğan made the remarks during a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, according to a statement by the Turkish presidency’s Directorate of Communications.
“No proposal that does not recognise the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people can produce a result,” Erdoğan was quoted as saying.
Cyprus among wider agenda
The meeting took place at the United Nations headquarters on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.
Beyond the Cyprus issue, discussions covered Gaza, Iran, Ukraine, the Strait of Hormuz and maritime security in the Black Sea.
On Gaza, Erdoğan argued that recent developments demonstrated, in his view, that Israel does not want peace.
He also referred to settler violence in the West Bank and developments concerning holy sites in Jerusalem, while stressing the need to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution.
Calls for diplomacy on Iran and Ukraine
On Iran and Ukraine, Erdoğan emphasised the need for de-escalation and continued commitment to diplomatic processes.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, he said an initiative led by countries in the region could make a positive contribution.
On the Black Sea, Erdoğan said Turkey expects the parties involved to act responsibly and expressed Ankara’s concern over the targeting of commercial vessels.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ahmet Yıldız were among those attending the meeting.
