Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has reiterated his stance on Turkish Cypriot sovereignty and direct international relations ahead of a trilateral dinner in New York with Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
In statements to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, Tatar emphasised that “the negotiation process can begin when our sovereignty demand is met” and that “any future agreement in Cyprus will take the form of cooperation between two states.”
Tatar described the upcoming dinner as an informal, agenda-free meeting at the UN building’s 38th floor. He stated that the Greek Cypriot side wishes to resume negotiations from where they left off in Cran Montana in 2017.
The Turkish Cypriot leader insisted that “official negotiations will never start until the acquired rights of Turkish Cypriots are accepted and clear prerequisites are fulfilled.” He added, “An agreement where Turkish Cypriots are not an absolute part of the state is not possible.”
Tatar outlined his intentions for the dinner, saying, “I will explain to my interlocutors that our sovereignty demand must be fulfilled, direct flights and trade to the TRNC must begin, and the outdated embargo, isolations, and obstacles in sports, music, and interstate negotiations must be lifted.”
He reaffirmed the Turkish Cypriot commitment to a two-state policy with sovereign and equal international status, viewing the dinner as “an opportunity to explain our positions.”
Referring to the recent appointment of the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, Tatar noted that no common ground was found between the two sides.
He reiterated his stance on direct flights, trade, and contacts, citing the inequalities faced by Turkish Cypriots compared to the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus.
Tatar expressed his “great opposition” to the Greek Cypriot position of zero guarantees and zero troops, as well as President Christodoulides’s recent statement that Morphou is not negotiable.
He concluded by stating, “We will never allow Turkish Cypriots to become refugees again. We cannot compromise on Turkish Cypriot sovereignty. Turkish Cypriots can now continue on their path with their own state.”
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