Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reiterated his demand for sovereign equality and equal international status following an informal dinner with Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.
“Unless our sovereign equality and equal international status are confirmed, we will not sit down to continue official negotiations. I stand at the same point,” Tatar told reporters after the meeting.
Tatar said he repeated the Turkish Cypriot position, unchanged since the Geneva talks three years ago.
The Turkish Cypriot leader expressed frustration over ongoing embargoes and isolation of his community, citing unfulfilled promises made after the 2004 Annan Plan referendum.
Tatar thanked UN Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar for her efforts but noted her failure to secure direct flights, trade, and international contacts for Turkish Cypriots.
“We cannot continue with official negotiations,” Tatar stated, adding that the next steps would be coordinated with Turkey, which he referred to as “our motherland and guarantor power”.
According to Tatar, Guterres proposed a future expanded meeting including Turkey and Greece. The UN chief will contact relevant parties to arrange details.
Tatar and Christodoulides agreed to meet in Cyprus to discuss opening additional crossing points, aiming to ease congestion and facilitate trade and social interactions.
When asked if his demand for sovereignty was met, Tatar clarified it was not a request but a requirement, based on what he called established rights from international agreements.
“Obviously the Secretary-General sympathises with the Turkish Cypriots. This is my position and my position is fully supported by Turkey,” Tatar concluded.
(information from CNA)
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