Turkey rejects UN‑proposed Cyprus territory‑exchange plan

The United Nations’ special envoy for Cyprus, Maria Ángela Holguín, unveiled a draft proposal that would hand the long‑uninhabited area of Maraş and the citrus‑producing district of Güzelyurt (Omorfo) to the southern part of the island in exchange for Turkey’s accession to the European Union, the lifting of embargoes and the establishment of “3‑D” direct trade, contact and flights. The plan also foresees joint exploitation of East Mediterranean gas resources and was slated for discussion at a July 5+1 ministerial meeting in New York involving the guarantor states Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and the UN.

Turkey’s defence ministry and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel responded sharply, stating that any scheme that undermines the equal sovereignty, statehood, territory and security of the Turkish Cypriot community is unacceptable. They reiterated that the only viable solution is a two‑state model guaranteeing “equal sovereignty and equal international status” for the Turkish Cypriot side, and rejected any land concessions or any reduction of Turkey’s guarantor role.

The Turkish government therefore dismissed the UN draft as contrary to its red lines and affirmed that no compromise on sovereignty, territory or security will be entertained.