Ankara, June 26, 2026: The Ministry of National Defense of Türkiye has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), declaring that “the security of the TRNC is the security of Türkiye” and warning that any initiative disregarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people is unacceptable.
The statement was issued in response to questions from journalists following the Ministry’s weekly press briefing held at the Land Forces Command to commemorate the 2,235th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Land Forces.
Responding to media reports regarding an alleged new United Nations proposal on the Cyprus issue, the Ministry noted that some press outlets, citing the Greek Cypriot media, had claimed that the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy had prepared a new settlement plan to be presented for consultations with the Greek Cypriot administration and the TRNC.
Addressing the reports, the Ministry reiterated Türkiye’s longstanding position that a lasting, just, and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue can only be achieved through a two-state solution based on the recognition of the Turkish Cypriot people’s sovereign equality and equal international status.
“Any initiative that disregards this fundamental reality will neither reflect the will of the Turkish Cypriot people nor be able to ensure lasting stability in the region,” the Ministry said.
It emphasized that Türkiye’s policy on Cyprus remains “clear, precise and unchanged,” adding that any proposal ignoring the rights of Turkish Cypriots or seeking to alter the existing delicate balance on the island would not be accepted.
“The security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the security of Türkiye,” the Ministry stated. “As it was yesterday, today and tomorrow, our determination to safeguard the security, peace and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot people remains absolute.”
Reaffirming Türkiye’s role as a guarantor state under international agreements, the Ministry said Ankara would continue to uphold peace, security and stability in Cyprus within the framework of its legitimate rights and responsibilities under international law.
The statement comes amid renewed speculation over possible diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations on the decades-old Cyprus dispute, which remains one of the most enduring issues in the Eastern Mediterranean. Türkiye maintains that any future settlement must recognize the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriots, while continuing to support the security and welfare of the TRNC.
