President Ersin Tatar holds a press conference at Türkevi following the trilateral meeting
“A resolution should be unanimously passed in the TRNC Parliamentary Assembly in support of a two State settlement in Cyprus”
President Ersin Tatar held a press conference at the Turkish House (Türkevi) in New York, following the trilateral meeting that was hosted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at UN Headquarters.
President Tatar expressed his appreciation to the UN Secretary-General for the support extended to the ongoing process. He emphasised that he “clearly conveyed to the United Nations and to all relevant parties my new vision — a position based on a realistic and sustainable settlement that is based on two sovereign States that coexist as good neighbours in a cooperative relationship”.
“I have once again reiterated that negotiations on the federal basis, which have been held for more than 50-years through different plans and processes, have been tried, failed and exhausted,” the President stated. “What is now imperative is to open a new page for the Island of Cyprus that allows for trust-building between the sides, where we can have genuine cooperation that will be to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot People and Greek Cypriot People, for all our children and future generations,” he added.
He noted with regret that the Greek Cypriot side has “failed to take steps toward the opening of new border crossings” and has “consistently refrained from meaningful cooperation”.
“Even when the Turkish Cypriot side extended an offer of assistance during recent wildfires in Limassol, our offer was declined,” President Tatar said, adding: “Such refusals only highlight the pressing need for the creation of a culture of cooperation.”
President Tatar pointed out the contradiction of the Greek Cypriot leadership invoking “peace and stability” whilst continuing to pursue an “intensive armament policy, a course of action that causes deep concern to the Turkish Cypriot people”. He further condemned ongoing efforts to “obstruct the Turkish Cypriots in every sphere — from political initiatives to economic activity, including even the export of our hellim produce”.
The President reaffirmed that the Turkish Cypriot side remains committed to constructive proposals and dialogue and stands ready to advance initiatives based on the cooperative relationship of two sovereign States.
Extending his gratitude to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, for his call to the international community to formally recognise the TRNC and for an end to the isolation imposed on the country – which he made during his address at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, President Tatar said: “President Erdoğan called upon world nations to formally recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus during his address at the UN General Assembly – for the fourth consecutive year. This is a source of pride for the Turkish Cypriot people. His renewed appeal to the world has significantly strengthened the foundation of the TRNC. I also wish to draw attention to the strong and unwavering support expressed by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye that had unanimously adopted a resolution in support of a two State settlement in Cyprus.”
“It is now time,” President Tatar declared, “for the Parliamentary Assembly of the TRNC to reflect this determination by unanimously adopting the resolution that endorses our two State position”.
Criticising the recent statements of the Greek Cypriot leader at the United Nations, President Tatar stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people will “never relinquish their sovereignty, their State, or the guarantee of Türkiye”.
President Tatar stated that “until a common ground is found for new and formal negotiations to be started, the two States can and should cooperate across all fields — most notably in energy and in other areas — in ways that will contribute positively to the daily lives of both peoples”.
President Tatar expressed his appreciation to the UN Secretary-General for the support extended to the ongoing process. He emphasised that he “clearly conveyed to the United Nations and to all relevant parties my new vision — a position based on a realistic and sustainable settlement that is based on two sovereign States that coexist as good neighbours in a cooperative relationship”.
“I have once again reiterated that negotiations on the federal basis, which have been held for more than 50-years through different plans and processes, have been tried, failed and exhausted,” the President stated. “What is now imperative is to open a new page for the Island of Cyprus that allows for trust-building between the sides, where we can have genuine cooperation that will be to the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot People and Greek Cypriot People, for all our children and future generations,” he added.
He noted with regret that the Greek Cypriot side has “failed to take steps toward the opening of new border crossings” and has “consistently refrained from meaningful cooperation”.
“Even when the Turkish Cypriot side extended an offer of assistance during recent wildfires in Limassol, our offer was declined,” President Tatar said, adding: “Such refusals only highlight the pressing need for the creation of a culture of cooperation.”
President Tatar pointed out the contradiction of the Greek Cypriot leadership invoking “peace and stability” whilst continuing to pursue an “intensive armament policy, a course of action that causes deep concern to the Turkish Cypriot people”. He further condemned ongoing efforts to “obstruct the Turkish Cypriots in every sphere — from political initiatives to economic activity, including even the export of our hellim produce”.
The President reaffirmed that the Turkish Cypriot side remains committed to constructive proposals and dialogue and stands ready to advance initiatives based on the cooperative relationship of two sovereign States.
Extending his gratitude to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, for his call to the international community to formally recognise the TRNC and for an end to the isolation imposed on the country – which he made during his address at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, President Tatar said: “President Erdoğan called upon world nations to formally recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus during his address at the UN General Assembly – for the fourth consecutive year. This is a source of pride for the Turkish Cypriot people. His renewed appeal to the world has significantly strengthened the foundation of the TRNC. I also wish to draw attention to the strong and unwavering support expressed by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye that had unanimously adopted a resolution in support of a two State settlement in Cyprus.”
“It is now time,” President Tatar declared, “for the Parliamentary Assembly of the TRNC to reflect this determination by unanimously adopting the resolution that endorses our two State position”.
Criticising the recent statements of the Greek Cypriot leader at the United Nations, President Tatar stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people will “never relinquish their sovereignty, their State, or the guarantee of Türkiye”.
President Tatar stated that “until a common ground is found for new and formal negotiations to be started, the two States can and should cooperate across all fields — most notably in energy and in other areas — in ways that will contribute positively to the daily lives of both peoples”.