President Ersin Tatar reiterated that the most correct path for solving the Cyprus issue was a two-state policy, stating, “We have embarked on this path, and there is no turning back.”
Referring to the meeting with the UN scheduled for March, Tatar said, “We are not going there to negotiate. There needs to be a basis and a framework for negotiations. For a common ground to be established, our sovereignty must be recognized.”
President Ersin Tatar spoke on a program broadcast on Bengü Türk as part of his visit to Ankara.
Noting that he attended the Justice and development Congress in Ankara, the President said, “It is a great honour for us to be at the congress. Once again, we have seen how important the deep-rooted ties between the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Republic of Türkiye are. Being addressed as honoured guests and having our presence recognized there made us very proud.”
Tatar added that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered significant messages during the congress, stating, “As a Turkish Cypriot, I know how crucial the support of the People’s Alliance for the Cyprus cause is.”
Stressing that a federal framework, which includes the termination of Türkiye’s guarantorship and the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, would mark the beginning of the end for the Turkish Cypriots, he stated, “In the two-state policy, if there is to be an agreement, it must be based on two states—the state in the north being a Turkish state and the state in the south being a Greek state—living side by side and cooperating. The People’s Alliance has given us full support in this regard.”
Underlining that after numerous attempts to reach a federal solution, he would not allow pressure based on UN resolutions, the President reaffirmed that the two-state policy was the most correct approach.
Pointing out that the two-state policy was also the best decision for the Greek Cypriots, Tatar said, “For a country’s development and for further economic progress, stability is crucial. The presence of Turkish troops guarantees peace, security, and stability on the island for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.”
Referring to the upcoming meeting with the UN in March, President Tatar stated, “We are not going there to negotiate. There needs to be a basis and a framework for negotiations.”
Stressing that the UN’s statement, “There is currently no common ground for negotiations to begin in Cyprus”, was a significant achievement, he added, “For an official negotiation process to start, a common ground must be established. And for that to happen, our sovereignty must be recognized.”
Tatar, emphasizing the importance of each ambassador of Türkiye in explaining the two-state policy to the world, stated that the Turkish Cypriot diaspora also continued to promote the two-state solution policy worldwide.
He added that the struggle to gain acceptance for this policy was a significant one.
President Tatar also commented on the Organization of Turkic States (OIC), saying, “We will continue our honourable struggle with even more determination, inspired by this positive development.”
Tatar noted that activities were organized in various fields and topics within the Turkic States, and that the TRNC also participated in them.
Stressing that cooperation was increasing, he explained that with the support of the Republic of Türkiye, he has brought the two-state policy to the agenda, and that this policy has become established and institutionalized over the past four years.
“We have embarked on this path, and there is no turning back now. Efforts to gain acceptance and recognition of the TRNC using diplomats and international relations will continue” President Tatar added.
