President Ersin Tatar met with Turkish Vice President, Cevdet Yılmaz, who is visiting the island for the celebrations of the 41st anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
During the meeting, the President stressed that, on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the TRNC’s founding, they reiterated to the world that any potential agreement on Cyprus must be based on the principle of two states rather than on a federal basis.
Stating that, just as every people have the right to determine their own future, the Turkish Cypriot people also have this right, Tatar noted that the TRNC could serve as a gateway for Turkic states to the Mediterranean, and with the development of trade, ties with Turkic nations would strengthen further.
He underlined that the TRNC is an inseparable and integral part of the Turkic world.
Expressing gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his unwavering support for the TRNC on every occasion, President Tatar added, “The Turkish Cypriot people are not alone. If they think they can force us into a solution we do not want through pressure and various actions, they are mistaken. The Greek Cypriot side now needs to reassess its policies. Important issues such as interconnecting the island with water and cable electricity projects, irregular migration, and the exploration of natural resources could be developed for the benefit of both peoples through cooperation between the two states, based on a ‘win-win’ approach.”
Referring to the informal dinner in New York, President Tatar reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side would no longer support a solution based on a federal framework.
He also noted that the UN’s statement following the dinner officially confirmed that no common ground exists between the parties.
Stressing the importance of implementing reforms to strengthen the economy, increase prosperity, and ensure sustainability in the TRNC through the development of sectors such as tourism, higher education, and others, Tatar highlighted the importance of utilizing the TRNC’s potential and increasing investments.
Turkish Vice President, Cevdet Yılmaz, in his remarks, stated that significant progress had been achieved in the 41 years since the TRNC’s establishment, and that every success and advancement was a source of pride for Türkiye.
Stating that efforts would continue to further advance the TRNC beyond its current state, with a focus on strengthening cooperation, Yılmaz stressed that numerous projects to enhance the welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people were being implemented under the 2024 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement.
The Turkish Vice President reiterated support for President Tatar’s vision of a two-state solution regarding the Cyprus issue, stating that a fair, lasting, and sustainable resolution was only possible based on the realities of the island.
Yılmaz also Pointed out that, for the first time, the UN Spokesperson’s statement following the informal trilateral dinner in New York officially recorded that there is no common ground between the leaders, which he described as a significant achievement,
“As Türkiye, we strongly support this vision, Yılmaz said, stressing their belief that the federal solution was no longer viable.
Noting that during the informal dinner, President Tatar and the Greek Cypriot leader agreed to meet on the island to discuss the opening of new crossing points, he stressed, “We are currently awaiting the opinions of our military authorities on this matter. It is important that this meeting remains solely focused on this specific issue. There is an agreement to hold another informal meeting in the near future with broader participation, involving both sides, the motherlands, the United Nations, and the United Kingdom, albeit with limited representation. Naturally, the Turkish side will not discuss any federal solution proposals during this meeting. This will not mark the beginning of a negotiation process but will simply serve as an opportunity to exchange views on what can be done moving forward.”
Expressing great satisfaction that President Tatar was invited as a guest of honour to last week’s summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Bishkek, Yılmaz stressed that increasing contacts with Turkic states through this organization and strengthening these relationships would be a significant force in promoting the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots on the global stage.
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