Written statement by President Ersin Tatar
"The new policy and vision we have put forward is a realistic approach that should be taken into account not only for the benefit of the two Sides on the island of Cyprus, but also for regional and global stability”
President Ersin Tatar has issued a written statement with regards to the “unfounded allegations” following his visit jointly with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides to the anthropological laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP).
The statement is as follows:
“Some unfounded allegations have been made in Greek Cypriot press following my recent visit, together with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, to the anthropological laboratory of the CMP in support of the effective humanitarian work being undertaken by the committee.
As we have reiterated in previous statements, the most important factor as to why negotiations for a political settlement have all ended without success over many years is due to the obsession of the Greek Cypriot Side in seeing themselves as the sole owners of the island, and not respecting the inherent equal rights of the Turkish Cypriot Side that have also been reaffirmed through international treaties.
A new and formal negotiation process cannot be started without the reaffirmation of our inherent rights, namely the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot Side.
The new policy and vision we have put forward for a realistic, sustainable and fair settlement of the Cyprus issue should be considered not only for the benefit of the two Sides on the Island of Cyprus, but also for regional and global stability.
Within this context, I however also wish to reiterate my continued firm belief in diplomacy and being open to dialogue.
All of our proposals, in particular the six cooperation proposals that were conveyed to the Greek Cypriot leader via the UN Secretary-General based on a win-win philosophy, are concrete reflections of our good faith, that will contribute to the stability not only to both Sides and the Island of Cyprus, but also to the eastern Mediterranean region.
The Turkish Cypriot Side has the political will and determination to continue to strive for the development of good neighbourly relations by taking concrete steps to establish institutional cooperation that will benefit both sides, particularly on humanitarian issues."