On Christmas Day, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz also attended the meeting, with Yılmaz and Tatar holding a separate private discussion.
In a joint press conference, Yılmaz expressed Turkey’s satisfaction with its ongoing unity and cooperation with the Turkish Cypriots. He emphasized that the partnership between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), as he said, was strong across various sectors, highlighting Turkey’s continued support for the development and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot community. “Turkey has mobilized all available resources for the free development and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots, and we will continue to do so,” he stated.
End of Federation Talks
Yılmaz also commented on the need to progress toward a two-state solution for Cyprus, marking an official end to federation talks. “The struggle of the Turkish Cypriots for justice, which has lasted over half a century, draws strength from our strong solidarity and belief in a fair, permanent, and sustainable solution based on the realities of the island. The reality of Cyprus is two states and two communities,” he said. Yılmaz further emphasized that decades without a solution proved the impossibility of resolving the issue through approaches that ignored these realities. “As we have stated before, the chapter of federation is closed,” he declared.
He also referred to the recent meeting between UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Tatar, and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, noting that Guterres had officially confirmed there was no common ground between the two leaders on the Cyprus issue. Yılmaz stressed that future talks should be conducted in line with this reality.
Support for Turkish Cypriot Rights
Yılmaz reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people, particularly in terms of their sovereign status and recognition of their inherent rights by the international community. He underscored that Turkey would continue to support the Turkish Cypriots’ efforts to integrate with the world and ensure their safety and prosperity.
The Vice President also mentioned ongoing efforts to improve economic and financial cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC, stressing that Turkey’s goal was to foster a secure and developed TRNC. “Our fundamental perspective is a safer and more developed TRNC,” he said, adding that cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, industry, education, health, and transportation would continue.
Yılmaz announced that the construction of a new “parliament” and “presidential complex” in the TRNC would be completed in January.
Statements by Ersin Tatar
Ersin Tatar, during his statement, expressed condolences for the recent helicopter crash in Turkey’s Muğla and an explosion at a munitions depot in Balıkesir, as well as for an airplane crash in Kazakhstan. He also praised Turkey’s provision of water to the TRNC, which he said had significantly boosted agricultural capacity on the island. Tatar noted growth in tourism, higher education, services, and industry in the Turkish Cypriot community.
He acknowledged the economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the February 6 earthquake, and the war in Ukraine, which increased costs and triggered an economic crisis. However, Tatar expressed confidence that Turkey had managed these difficulties well, and that the situation was improving.
Tatar reiterated his support for Turkey’s new policy on Cyprus, which was reinforced by President Erdoğan’s speeches at the UN General Assembly. He described the UN’s announcement after an informal lunch in New York, confirming the lack of common ground between the two sides, as a diplomatic victory for the Turkish side.
Opening of New Crossing and Strengthening Ties
Tatar also discussed the proposal to open a new crossing at the Mia Milia checkpoint, which he believed would facilitate trade between the two communities and ease congestion at the Agios Dometios checkpoint. He highlighted a 400-acre park created near the “TRNC’s presidential complex” and “parliament” at Agios Dometios, which would offer recreational spaces for the “citizens.”
On the matter of new crossings, Tatar revealed that he had requested clarification from Christodoulides regarding the Greek Cypriot side’s demand for new crossing points at Kokkina and Athienou. He termed the request “unacceptable,” arguing it would entail significant costs.
Diplomatic Gains and Regional Influence
Tatar emphasized the importance of consultations between the two “countries” to ensure that the Turkish Cypriots’ political policies were heard and accepted globally. He pointed to the TRNC’s recent observer status in the Organization of Turkish States as a significant achievement, allowing the TRNC to participate in meetings under its own flag and identity.
Commenting on Syria, Tatar stressed the importance of Turkey’s active role in the region, noting that agreements on maritime areas with Syria would positively affect the TRNC by increasing its geopolitical value.
“The strong Turkey strengthens us. Turkey is a great country. When we consider the geopolitical and geostrategic developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the policy of the Blue Homeland is very important,” Tatar concluded. “We evaluate together with the Motherland, the ‘Small Homeland,’ the Blue Homeland, and the Heavenly Homeland. The status and value of our ‘state’ is increasing, which enhances the prosperity we offer to our ‘people.’ Investments are increasing, and tourism is growing, giving us hope for the future.”
