The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ersin Tatar, urged Greek Cypriot leadership to acknowledge the “realities on the ground” in Cyprus, emphasising the existence of “two peoples, two states, and two democracies” as crucial to resolving the ongoing dispute.
Speaking at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York, Tatar called for a realistic and fresh approach to negotiations.
Tatar asserted that talks on the future of Cyprus must respect the political equality and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot state, as recognised by the 1960 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. He expressed regret over the increasing “oppression and obstruction” policies by the Greek Cypriot leadership towards Turkish Cypriots.
The Northern Cyprus president also accused Greek Cypriot authorities of attempting to undermine the TRNC’s economy by obstructing tourism and investment activities, describing their actions as those of “an oppressor.” He noted that these policies hurt not only the economic well-being of Turkish Cypriots but also damage trust between the two communities.
Tatar’s comments followed a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during which they discussed the potential for an informal gathering to address next steps in negotiations. Tatar highlighted the importance of a solution based on equality and reciprocity to foster a future dialogue.
The island of Cyprus has been divided for decades, with efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement repeatedly failing. The Turkish Cypriot side, with Türkiye’s support, continues to advocate for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality. In contrast, the Greek Cypriot side has been resistant to recognising the TRNC as a separate entity, contributing to the long-standing stalemate in peace talks.
(Source: Anadolu Agency)