Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reaffirmed Turkish Cypriot side’s position that no new official negotiations on the Cyprus issue can begin unless the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots are recognized.
Speaking after an informal meeting on Cyprus at UN headquarters in New York, Tatar thanked UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his personal envoy, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, for facilitating the dialogue. He described the meeting as a valuable opportunity to clearly express the Turkish Cypriot position.
Tatar underscored that the Turkish Cypriot side’s new policy, consolidated over the past four years with the support of Türkiye, is based on the legitimate rights of sovereign equality and equal international status.
He emphasized his responsibility to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and voiced concern over continued international isolation , embargoes, and restrictions affecting Turkish Cypriots in trade and sports. He also condemned the recent arrests of Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot authorities and criticized ongoing efforts to marginalize the Turkish Cypriot community.
Regarding the longstanding issue of crossing points , Tatar said, “We discussed the issue of crossing points, especially the severe traffic problem at Metehan ( Agios Dometios). Unfortunately, no solution has been reached yet, but I hope progress can be made by September.”
Tatar concluded by reiterating that the island has two peoples, two states, and two democracies.
“If a new and official negotiation process is to begin, it must be grounded in the realities on the ground and conducted with fairness, equality, and respect for both sides,” he stated.
( Source: BRT News)
