Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has shown verbal willingness to meet with President Christodoulides but has yet to take concrete steps towards discussing new crossing points, despite both leaders attending a UN reception Tuesday evening.
At the reception hosted by UN Special Representative Colin Stewart, President Christodoulides told Tatar they “shouldn’t fear meeting”, particularly given their commitments to the UN Secretary-General last October.
Tatar responded that he would consider the possibility of such a meeting.
Christodoulides indicated there has been preliminary work by negotiators, though differences remain on certain issues.
He suggested that even with these differences, a meeting could help review progress and provide guidance to negotiators, without necessarily requiring announcements.
Meanwhile in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared Turkey would not abandon its policy of sovereign equality and equal international status in Cyprus.
Speaking at the Turkish parliament’s budget discussions, Fidan also expressed concern about what he termed “the Greek Cypriot administration’s armament”, warning it could trigger an arms race on the island.
Tatar, quoted by Haber Kipris, said he was always ready for constructive meetings with the Greek Cypriot leader, calling for “mutual understanding” whilst asserting Turkish Cypriots have “at least as many sovereign rights as Greek Cypriots”.
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