President Ersin Tatar expressed his gratitude for the strong message delivered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding the Cyprus issue at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Tatar highlighted Erdoğan’s emphasis on the need for international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the call to lift the isolations imposed on Turkish Cypriots.

Tatar noted that Erdoğan had delivered similarly powerful messages in previous UNGA sessions, reaffirming Turkey’s position that the time has come for the TRNC to be recognized. He praised Erdoğan for reiterating Turkey’s rights in the north and west of Cyprus’ continental shelf and defending the rights of Turkish Cypriots across the island.

Reflecting on Erdoğan’s speech, Tatar highlighted that 50 years had passed since the Cyprus Peace Operation and 61 years since the Cyprus issue arose, when Greek Cypriots took control of the Republic of Cyprus. He emphasized Erdoğan’s point that peace and stability on the island were established after the 1974 intervention, and that it has been the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey who have consistently demonstrated a will for a just, permanent, and sustainable solution.

Tatar echoed Erdoğan’s assertion that the federation model has lost its validity and that there are now two separate states and peoples on the island. He called for the recognition of Turkish Cypriots' sovereign equality and equal international status, while also stressing the need to end the isolation.

President Tatar emphasized Erdoğan’s appeal for the international community to establish diplomatic, political, and economic relations with the TRNC, underscoring Turkey’s role as a guarantor state and its vested interest in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Tatar affirmed that Erdoğan’s speech sent a strong message that negotiations could only continue based on sovereign equality and the acceptance of equal international status for both sides. He criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration for attempting to integrate the TRNC into a "Greek Republic" and reiterated that any agreement must be between two equal states.

Expressing deep respect and gratitude to President Erdoğan, Tatar concluded by stating that the TRNC is on the right path and that it is time for the world to recognize the realities on the island, with Turkey playing a key role in achieving a fair solution.

Source: Kıbrıs Gazetesi