Upon his return to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after the informal trilateral meeting with Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, President Ersin Tatar made significant statements regarding the ongoing Cyprus issue.

Tatar emphasized that the TRNC’s stance has not shifted, particularly concerning sovereign equality and international status. He stated that while the talks were informal, they were diplomatically important. Tatar reiterated the need for future meetings to acknowledge the TRNC’s sovereignty as a precondition for any formal negotiations.

Sovereign Equality at the Forefront

President Tatar underscored that official negotiations could only begin with the confirmation of the TRNC’s sovereign equality and international status. He criticized the lack of progress in the federal solution model over the past ۵۰ years and reminded that the Crans-Montana process collapsed in ۲۰۱۷ due to the Greek side’s inflexibility. Tatar also expressed frustration with the UN Security Council's long-standing resolutions, which, in his view, have not adapted to the realities of the situation.

Ongoing Disparities and Isolation

Tatar highlighted the disparity between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, noting that while the Greek side enjoys the benefits of EU membership, Turkish Cypriots continue to face embargoes and isolation. He criticized Southern Cyprus for negatively impacting the TRNC’s economy, particularly in tourism and real estate.

Dialogue and Future Steps

Though Tatar acknowledged the importance of dialogue and communication, he tempered expectations, stating that he does not expect significant outcomes from the recent dinner. He emphasized the importance of Turkey's presence at the negotiation table and noted that the Secretary-General will provide further updates following discussions with the British side.

Finally, Tatar reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing new opportunities for dialogue and resolution while maintaining the TRNC’s key demands for sovereign equality.
Source: Kıbrıs Gazetesi