Turkey and Turkish Cypriots have a new plan for Cyprus. They want to work together. This is different from their old plan for a full political agreement. The new idea is "cooperation without a solution." This means focusing on practical work between the two groups.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan explained the change. He said the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be an equal partner. Turkish Cypriots say they are "co-founders with sovereign rights." They want a voice in decisions. This includes sharing Eastern Mediterranean gas. They want to work together on gas, even without peace.
They are thinking about a "Cooperation Mechanism." This body would help technical committees work together. They would focus on gas and other important things. This is like having two separate states that cooperate. Turkey also wants an energy conference. This would include the TRNC and the Republic of Cyprus. This could help the TRNC gain more international support.
Minister Fidan said they should "freeze" political arguments. He wants to focus on business. This includes energy, tourism, and industry. He believes a two-state solution could create new cooperation. Turkey has always supported a two-state idea. They say Greek Cypriots rejected past plans.
This new strategy is important. It moves away from the old goal of a united island. It could make the island's division more official. This plan might also slow down UN peace talks. Turkey and Turkish Cypriots want to show Turkish Cypriot rights. They also want to increase Turkey's influence in the region. Their goal is to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots. They want economic growth while the political issue is not solved. This is a big challenge for the Republic of Cyprus and its friends.