President Ersin Tatar evaluates latest developments
“It will be beneficial for both sides if agreement was on the basis of two separate states and sovereign equality on the island”
President Ersin Tatar stated that the TRNC, preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary, will never make concessions on its sovereignty and emphasised that the whole world should accept the reality of TRNC.
President Tatar, who was evaluating recent developments to the press at his office in the Presidency, said the calls for unification made by some of the international community, particularly the United Nations, were far from the reality and continued as follows:
“No natural mechanism to unite us with the Greek Cypriots and to keep us alive is present. Cyprus has its own realities. Two separate positions have been here for 60 years. The languages are different. The business world is different on both sides. Reaching any conclusion with the rhetoric of a bi-communal federation is out of question."
President Tatar said insisting on the bi-communal federation model in line with the decision taken by the UN Security Council in 1964 is useless and said:
“The process of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus started in this room about 60 years ago. After 60 years, it is not possible to rewind the tape and expect the understanding of 'We will unite you, we will take you back to the 1960s' to be successful.”
“If the two sides reach an agreement, it will be to the benefit of all parties”
President Tatar stated that the newly elected leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Nikos Christodoulides, advocates the idea of a "United Cyprus" due to the support of the church and ELAM. After Christodulides was elected, paying attention to the vision of the international community, he adopted the bi-communal federation model, President Tatar said.
Underlining that the TRNC has always been in favour of reconciliation in international negotiations, President Tatar said:
“It will be beneficial for both sides if agreement was on the basis of two separate states and sovereign equality on the island. With the support of Türkiye, it is possible to explore the hydrocarbon and natural gas resourses in the seas, to cooperate in renewable energy sources, to link the interconnected system to Europe through electricity cable via Türkiye, which is only 40 miles away, and to maintain the energy policy there. All these listed steps can be possible and beneficial for both sides. In case of cooperation and reconciliation, the water arriving in the TRNC from Türkiye can also be shared with South Cyprus. In the face of drought and global warming, water from Türkiye is significantly important for combatting such natural events. If there is an agreement, Türkiye's ports, airspace will open and more tourists will come from Türkiye and it will bring great benefits to both sides.”
President Tatar added that if the sides do not reach an agreement, the TRNC is already on its way and that the Republic of Türkiye continues its efforts in Islamic countries and the members of the Turkic States Organization (TDT) for its recognition.