By Manolis Kostides
Turkey’s foreign minister has floated a controversial idea for Cyprus: park the political dispute, move ahead with joint business and energy projects, and deal with sovereignty later, all while sticking to Ankara’s long-standing push for a two-state solution.
In an interview with TRT World, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially on Cyprus, could move forward even if deep disagreements remain “frozen.” While he reiterated Turkey’s support for a two-state solution on the island, he also left the door open to what he called a future form of political unity.
Political analysts in Turkey note that Fidan’s remarks echo recent comments by U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack, who spoke of a new spirit of cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Two states now...cooperation later?
Asked directly about Cyprus, Fidan said Turkey had previously taken a constructive stance during talks such as the Annan Plan and the Crans-Montana negotiations, pointing out that Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of the Annan Plan.
He argued that Greek Cypriots rejected it and, he claimed, would never accept a settlement that includes equal sharing of power, wealth and sovereignty.
“Everyone knows this, we know it, they know it, the Europeans know it,” Fidan said. “So what is the alternative? A two-state solution? That could happen. And after that, the two states could develop a new kind of cooperation or political unity. That choice belongs to them.”
‘Freeze politics, build prosperity’
Fidan’s most striking proposal was to set aside the political problem and focus on economic cooperation, including energy, tourism and industry.
“What we urgently need to do is seize the opportunity and turn Cyprus into a paradise,” he said, noting that other Mediterranean countries are making massive investments in tourism, industry and economic growth.
“Stop isolating the Turkish Cypriots,” Fidan said. “We can start meaningful cooperation. While we ‘freeze’ the political issue, we can all enjoy economic development, regional growth, energy resources, tourism, industry and more.”
He warned that clinging to old goals and mindsets, he said, only blocks progress.
“That’s the message we’re trying to convey,” he added.
US echoes cooperation message
Barrack, in a Nov. 30 interview with Kathimerini, struck a similar tone, saying cooperation starts with communication, and that prosperity, not fear, drives dialogue.
He spoke of a new regional model built on unity and shared growth, pointing to vast energy resources in the Caspian region that could reach the Mediterranean through Greece and Turkey if political obstacles are removed.
“You get rid of political complications when prosperity exists,” Barrack said.
Diplomacy continues
Hours after his interview aired, Fidan met in Ankara with the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy on Cyprus, signaling continued diplomatic engagement.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also announced that Fidan will take part in a Gaza-focused meeting in Miami on Dec. 19, alongside officials from the United States, Egypt and Qatar, where broader regional issues will also be discussed.
*Read the Greek version here.
