TR

President Ersin Tatar, Social Sciences University of Ankara (ASBU) Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Kent, ASBU North Cyprus Coordinator Prof. Dr. Enver Arpa and his entourage agreed

“Increasing political, cultural and economic cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye further strengthens the existence of the TRNC”

President Ersin Tatar has emphasised that the reason why a partnership settlement based on the equality of the two co-owners of the island of Cyprus has not been reached for more than half-a-century is because of the two Sides being at loggerheads over their understanding of what a federal settlement will look like.

The statement was made during a visit from the Social Sciences University of Ankara (ASBU) delegation headed by Vice-President Dr. Bülent Kent and the ASBU North Cyprus Coordinator Prof. Dr. Enver Arpa.

Stating that the development of relations with the Republic of Türkiye at all levels is pleasing, the President said that it is “important for the TRNC to benefit from the experiences of a great State such as Türkiye”.

Expressing his satisfaction for the gradual development of Ankara Social Sciences University Northern Cyprus Campus,  President Tatar underlined that the existence of the TRNC is getting stronger with the increase in political, cultural and economic cooperation with the Republic of Turkey.

President Tatar stated: “It is a national duty to carry both political and cultural spirituality together for the continuation of the Turkish presence on the island,” the President added that “the Greek Cypriot side’s mentality is one that sees the Greek Cypriot side as being superior, with a federal based settlement providing for a withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island and the abolishment of Turkish Guarantees”.

Stating that under the pressure of the international community, the Turkish Cypriot side has been negotiating for an agreement on the basis of a partnership for more than half-a-century, the President added: “An equality-based settlement has not been found between the sides for more than half-a-century, due to the fact that there is a huge difference between their understanding of what that type of settlement  will in reality look like.”

“The diametric views of the two Sides in respect of a federal based settlement has been evidently seen in the 2004 UN Comprehensive Settlement [Annan] Plan and lastly in 2017 in Crans Montana,” the President added.

President Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriot side will no longer negotiate on the basis of a federal basis, which he said was a position fully supported by the Republic of Türkiye. He added that formal negotiations can be started within the framework that is based on the cooperation of two States which coexist side-by-side on the basis of sovereign equality.