President Tatar stated that as the equal partners of the Republic of Cyprus established in 1960, Turkish Cypriot people are at least as sovereign as the Greek Cypriot people on the island and said that the preparations for the informal meeting to be held in Geneva in April are continuing intensively. Noting that the two-state solution to be brought to the table at the meeting is a historic step, President Tatar pointed out that the right to self-determination is a right arising from the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots.




"A SINGLE SOVEREIGNITY WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR GREEK CYPRIOT DOMINATION "

Stating that the only element of sovereignty envisaged by a federation-based treaty will pave the way for the spread of the Greek Cypriot domination to the North, President Tatar drew attention to the necessity of a treaty based on two sovereign cooperating states, co-existing side-by-side.

Underlining the fact that the Issue of sovereignty is not indexed to population, the President stated that sovereign equality and Turkey as a guarantor, guarantee the existence of the Turkish Cypriots. Stating that the unfair embargo and isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots are unacceptable, President Tatar noted that all necessary efforts will be made to overcome the isolations in all areas.



"THE STATUS OF TRNC HAS BEEN UPGRADED"

The President stated that the status of TRNC has been upgraded in the region due to  the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the support and regional leadership position of Turkey . President Tatar said that he believed the TRNC will continue to develop in all the areas and emphasised the importance of maintaining and preserving our unity.



"THE NORM HAS BEEN BROKEN WITH OPENING OF MARAŞ "

Expressing that the initiative taken for Maraş has broken the norm, President Ersin Tatar stated that with this important step taken, the expectations of settlement on federal basis and the return of Maraş are abolished. Indicating that Greek Cypriots who own properties in Maraş can apply through the Immovable Property Commission, President Ersin Tatar stated that Maraş will be the centre of attraction with its brand world class value, and that despite the pandemic, the number of visitors to date has exceeded 100,000.


The virtual meeting was attended by the Secretary General of the Cyprus Turkish Retired Officers Association, Bülent Ecevit, Contemporary Music Association Chairman, Ersin Tünay,  TRNC Adana Cultural Association Chairman, Serdar Terzi, TRNC Gaziantep Cultural Association Chairman, Mesut Ayar, TRNC Malatyalılar Cultural Association Chairman, Okan Erdemsiz and TRNC Presidency Civil Society Organisations Communications Coordinator, Latif Akça.