President Ersin Tatar visited Yenierenköy where he met members of the public and made statements on the Cyprus issue
President Ersin Tatar visited Yenierenköy following an invitation to attend a breakfast meeting, where he emphasised that the only way to achieving sustainable peace and stability in Cyprus and the region is for a settlement to be based on two States.
President Tatar was also accompanied by İskele MP Yasemin Öztürk and mayor Emrah Yeşilırmak and met members of the public in the region who attended the event.
“TWO STATES IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE”
Evaluating the Cyprus issue at the event, President Tatar said that arduous negotiations that has been held for the past 53 years have failed to conclude with a federal based settlement because of the intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side.
“Negotiations based on the federal basis could not be concluded with a comprehensive settlement due to the negative stance of the Greek Cypriot side. It was clearly seen that a solution based on the federal basis would not be possible, especially after the Annan Plan referendum and Crans Montana talks,” the President stated.
“It has become evident that a settlement under a federal basis is not possible. We have therefore put forward a new model for a settlement that is based on the existence of sovereign equality of the sides and that of a two sovereign equal States which enjoy a cooperative relationship. This is the first time we have put forward such a position and this was also put forward at the five-plus-UN informal meeting in Geneva in April,” he added.
President Tatar underlined that this position was supported by motherland Turkey, adding: “This is the most realistic solution and is in the interests of Cyprus and the region. The Greek Cypriot side, on the other hand, pursues the dream of a federation, which is clearly still impossible to realise, and wants to keep our people hostage to the negotiating table for another 53 years, and employ every means and method to prevent the two State solution from being realised. Here, I state once again that there are two separate States and two different peoples in Cyprus, and we will not back down from our solution proposal that we have put forward.”
MARAŞ OPENING OF THE FENCED-OFF AREA
Referring to the issue of the Maraş opening of the fenced-off area, the President said:
“While the first stage of the fenced off area of Maraş opening was brought to the agenda at the beginning of 2020, in accordance with human rights and international law, initially some public areas and the coastline were opened in the closed area of Maraş as the first step.
“Last July, the second phase of the Maraş initiative was also implemented in accordance with human rights and international law, and 3.5 per cent of the region was removed from the status of a military zone. This has allowed property owners to make their applications through the Immovable Property Commission.”
TOURISM
Drawing attention to the importance of domestic tourism, President Tatar added: “The pandemic, which has affected the whole world and which is still continuing, has adversely affected the tourism activities of all countries, as well as negatively affecting the tourism sector of the TRNC. It should also be noted that during this period, the Greek Cypriot administration has taken initiatives by using every means and methods to prevent if not inflict negative outcomes to our tourism sector. But I have no doubt that our tourism sector will rise up together with our other sectors. Besides, I see a great vitality and movement in domestic tourism. This is also very pleasing, and I am ready to provide any necessary support.”
President Tatar was also accompanied by İskele MP Yasemin Öztürk and mayor Emrah Yeşilırmak and met members of the public in the region who attended the event.
“TWO STATES IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE”
Evaluating the Cyprus issue at the event, President Tatar said that arduous negotiations that has been held for the past 53 years have failed to conclude with a federal based settlement because of the intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side.
“Negotiations based on the federal basis could not be concluded with a comprehensive settlement due to the negative stance of the Greek Cypriot side. It was clearly seen that a solution based on the federal basis would not be possible, especially after the Annan Plan referendum and Crans Montana talks,” the President stated.
“It has become evident that a settlement under a federal basis is not possible. We have therefore put forward a new model for a settlement that is based on the existence of sovereign equality of the sides and that of a two sovereign equal States which enjoy a cooperative relationship. This is the first time we have put forward such a position and this was also put forward at the five-plus-UN informal meeting in Geneva in April,” he added.
President Tatar underlined that this position was supported by motherland Turkey, adding: “This is the most realistic solution and is in the interests of Cyprus and the region. The Greek Cypriot side, on the other hand, pursues the dream of a federation, which is clearly still impossible to realise, and wants to keep our people hostage to the negotiating table for another 53 years, and employ every means and method to prevent the two State solution from being realised. Here, I state once again that there are two separate States and two different peoples in Cyprus, and we will not back down from our solution proposal that we have put forward.”
MARAŞ OPENING OF THE FENCED-OFF AREA
Referring to the issue of the Maraş opening of the fenced-off area, the President said:
“While the first stage of the fenced off area of Maraş opening was brought to the agenda at the beginning of 2020, in accordance with human rights and international law, initially some public areas and the coastline were opened in the closed area of Maraş as the first step.
“Last July, the second phase of the Maraş initiative was also implemented in accordance with human rights and international law, and 3.5 per cent of the region was removed from the status of a military zone. This has allowed property owners to make their applications through the Immovable Property Commission.”
TOURISM
Drawing attention to the importance of domestic tourism, President Tatar added: “The pandemic, which has affected the whole world and which is still continuing, has adversely affected the tourism activities of all countries, as well as negatively affecting the tourism sector of the TRNC. It should also be noted that during this period, the Greek Cypriot administration has taken initiatives by using every means and methods to prevent if not inflict negative outcomes to our tourism sector. But I have no doubt that our tourism sector will rise up together with our other sectors. Besides, I see a great vitality and movement in domestic tourism. This is also very pleasing, and I am ready to provide any necessary support.”