Turkish Cypriot youth embraces 2-state solution

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot youth embrace the 2-state solution as a feasible and sustainable settlement to problems in the island.

Anadolu Agency interviewed Turkish Cypriot university students over the two-state solution based on equal sovereignty, which is advocated by Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and currently on the negotiation table of 5+1 Cyprus talks in Geneva.

One of the interviewed students, Damla Bilgin, noted that she, as a TRNC citizen, prefers her state to exist, adding any solution to the Cyprus issue should be based on equality between the two parts of the island.

Ugur Yapici, another interviewee from Turkey but studying in the TRNC, stressed that negotiations for a federal solution lasted over 50 years without yielding any results.

"I have lived in the TRNC for five years and witnessed the hardships Turkish Cypriots had to endure. I support the two-state solution based on equal rights," he said.

Underlining the importance of Turkey's support to the two-state solution, Mustafa Caluda argued that Cypriot Turks should embrace their own independent state, the TRNC.

Agreeing with Caluda on the importance of an independent state, Ozdemir Ozerem remarked that the TRNC is Cypriot Turks' first state, and hence adopting it is a moral responsibility, among other things.

Another interviewee, Yangin Tertemiz, expressed frustration with negotiations for a federal solution and distrust with the Greek Cypriot administration.

"Though we made significant concessions in Crans-Montana Cyprus talks in 2017, they (Greeks Cypriots) left the negotiation table. As such, I don't believe in a federal solution and support the two-state solution," he added.

The emphasis of Mert Nihat Ecevit was the status of Cypriot Turks in a federal solution proposal.

"Federal solution treats us as a minority and diminishes our rights, including some fundamental human rights. I thus support the two-state solution."

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​​​​​​​*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk​​​​​​​ in Ankara