Statement of President Ersin Tatar Relating to the Latest Developments on the Cyprus Issue
Whilst there have been some speculations following the UN Security Council resolution extending the mandate of the UN Peace Keeping Forces in Cyprus, which made reference to a federal basis, some quarters have deliberately and wrongly construed this resolution as meaning that “the proposal for sovereign two States has been abandoned”.
Following all the negotiations for a federation which failed due to the intransigent and uncompromising stance of the Greek Cypriot side, which continued for many years – in particular the Annan Plan referenda of 2004 and Crans Montana in 2017, we have put forward sovereign two States as a new proposal for a solution. With intense efforts having already been undertaken, this new idea and political stance has been put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side, which is fully supported by our Motherland and guarantor Turkey who is the biggest and most powerful country in the region. Whilst the majority of people voted for the policy of having sovereign two States in the Presidential election held in October 2020, the stipulations made by the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades and some other circles in the South, relating to a two sovereign state basis should also not be forgotten.
Whilst this new idea and new policy has stirred up a big echoing effect, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in his first press conference of 2021, stated that he is “open to new ideas and ready to listen to the sides”. In accordance with the statement of Mr Guterres, our policy for a solution, based on sovereign two States that enjoy the same equal international status as a new idea will be brought to the table at the informal five-plus-UN meeting, for which the date and place is yet to be determined. The presence of Motherland Turkey will be our greatest strength at the table.
Unfortunately the Security Council, in its latest resolution, has adopted conflicting expressions. However this should never be construed to mean that we are going to retract or abandon our proposal for a solution on the basis of sovereign two equal states. We are determined on this matter and our efforts will continue.
During the Presidential election process, I had disclosed my policy and vision for a two state formula with sovereign equality, which was approved by the public and supported by Motherland Turkey. This new political stance conforms to the realities of the situation in Cyprus and this policy is important not only for Cyprus, but also for the wider region. We are determined to keep to our new policy, for a solution based on two sovereign states, and we will not revert from this policy. Furthermore, our people are not prepared to tolerate another 50 years of negotiations.
It is out of the question for us to place our country, our people and future generations into a perilous uncertain situation. We certainly will not allow our people to be returned to the dark days prior to 1974.
It must be reiterated once again, that my stance, our will, and our new policy, will be put forward at the five-plus-UN informal meeting. We will never bow to the pressure and imposition of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo, and the countries supporting them. We will not adopt an approach that ‘any solution will be acceptable’, and we shall certainly not abandon our state, freedom, sovereignty, and the guarantor of Motherland Turkey or the Turkish army.
The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, will be staging a visit to our country on February 2 and we will clarify our position for the informal five-plus-UN meeting. Our people should rest assured, Motherland Turkey, with all her power, is supporting us, as she has always done. We will not permit our people to return to pre 1974 conditions, and I will not sign an agreement that is detrimental to our state, freedom and sovereignty and deliver our people to the perils that existed prior to 1974.
My hope is that the informal five-plus-UN meeting is the last and it concludes successfully.
Whilst this new idea and new policy has stirred up a big echoing effect, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in his first press conference of 2021, stated that he is “open to new ideas and ready to listen to the sides”. In accordance with the statement of Mr Guterres, our policy for a solution, based on sovereign two States that enjoy the same equal international status as a new idea will be brought to the table at the informal five-plus-UN meeting, for which the date and place is yet to be determined. The presence of Motherland Turkey will be our greatest strength at the table.
Unfortunately the Security Council, in its latest resolution, has adopted conflicting expressions. However this should never be construed to mean that we are going to retract or abandon our proposal for a solution on the basis of sovereign two equal states. We are determined on this matter and our efforts will continue.
During the Presidential election process, I had disclosed my policy and vision for a two state formula with sovereign equality, which was approved by the public and supported by Motherland Turkey. This new political stance conforms to the realities of the situation in Cyprus and this policy is important not only for Cyprus, but also for the wider region. We are determined to keep to our new policy, for a solution based on two sovereign states, and we will not revert from this policy. Furthermore, our people are not prepared to tolerate another 50 years of negotiations.
It is out of the question for us to place our country, our people and future generations into a perilous uncertain situation. We certainly will not allow our people to be returned to the dark days prior to 1974.
It must be reiterated once again, that my stance, our will, and our new policy, will be put forward at the five-plus-UN informal meeting. We will never bow to the pressure and imposition of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo, and the countries supporting them. We will not adopt an approach that ‘any solution will be acceptable’, and we shall certainly not abandon our state, freedom, sovereignty, and the guarantor of Motherland Turkey or the Turkish army.
The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, will be staging a visit to our country on February 2 and we will clarify our position for the informal five-plus-UN meeting. Our people should rest assured, Motherland Turkey, with all her power, is supporting us, as she has always done. We will not permit our people to return to pre 1974 conditions, and I will not sign an agreement that is detrimental to our state, freedom and sovereignty and deliver our people to the perils that existed prior to 1974.
My hope is that the informal five-plus-UN meeting is the last and it concludes successfully.