Northern Cyprus PM Üstel Declares TRNC Permanent, Rejects Negotiations

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a permanent entity, not a temporary arrangement, and will not be subject to negotiation. He argued that any lasting solution must be based on the reality of "two peoples, two democracies and two states" and pledged continued Turkish support for a two‑state vision. Üstel marked the 52nd anniversary of the 20 July 1974 peace operation, recalling the historic rescue of the Turkish Cypriot community and honoring past leaders.

The TRNC Foreign Ministry echoed this stance, stating that without recognition of the Turkish Cypriot people's sovereign equality and equal international status, a mediated negotiation process is impossible. It called on the United Nations and Secretary‑General António Guterres to respect the TRNC’s legitimacy, lift isolation, and refrain from acting as an intermediary that undermines the Turkish Cypriot position.