President Ersin Tatar makes a statement following his meeting with Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General
President Ersin Tatar has met with Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, who is currently visiting the island for contacts.
Following their meeting, President Tatar stated that he met Ms Holguin at his office and that they had a "productive meeting". He emphasised that Ms Holguin’s visit was in preparation for the "upcoming 5+UN meeting to be held in New York on July 16–17," under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
President Tatar confirmed the participation of all relevant parties in the informal meeting in a broader format, which, he said, will be attended by Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, the two leaders and UN Secretary-General Guterres -- who is convening the informal meeting.
President Tatar recalled that during the March 17–18 informal meeting, an agreement was reached on six key topics: the Technical Committee on Youth, demining, environmental and climate issues, cemetery restorations, and solar energy. It was also agreed that another informal meeting would be held in July.
"In the meeting today, I particularly expressed my disappointment about the lack of progress in relation to crossing points," President Tatar said. "As it is known, I have tried hard to make progress on the opening of a new crossing point, having proposed crossing points for Haspolat and Akıncılar -- located on the east-side of Lefkoşa, that would aleviate traffic congestion at the Metehan crossing point, but the Greek Cypriot leader is continuing to insist on a transit corridor, which has nothing to do with a crossing point between the North and the South," he said.
"As I stated to Ms. Holguin, 65 per cent of vehicle crossings take place through the Metehan checkpoint. The traffic congestion there is causing frustration to both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, who are expecting us as the two leaders to resolve this issue. I find it difficult to understand why the Greek Cypriot leader rejects our proposal to open a new crossing point in Haspolat and Akıncılar, which would be a win-win for all sides," President Tatar said.
Referring to the Geneva meeting, President Tatar stated that the Greek Cypriot side "sidestepped the crossing point issue", even though "the UN Secretary-General was present and heard the discussions" and emphasised that the crossing points are crucial for improving relations and people-to-people contacts between the two sides.
President Tatar pointed out his support for a technical committee on youth, mine clearance efforts, and solar energy projects. Regarding solar energy, he said: “If 35 per cent of electricity is produced from solar energy for the Turkish side, then that connection must be made directly to us. Every Turkish Cypriot would expect this. If all the energy is given to the South, and it is up to the Greek Cypriot Electricity Authority to arbitrarily allocate us 35 per cent, that is unacceptable. Electricity produced for the Turkish side must go directly to our own electricity authority. These are technical matters, but ultimately, it is an issue of sovereignty.”
President Tatar stated that they would approach the New York meeting "constructively," and said he had conveyed to Ms Holguin their "concerns regarding the property issue" and the "Greek Cypriot acts of intimidation of our people and investors". He noted that he had "sent a letter about this matter to the UN Secretary-General about three weeks ago", which was "taken into consideration by the Security Council and included in official reports".
Reaffirming that he is "open to dialogue and to cooperation initiatives that are aimed at improving relations with the Greek Cypriot side," President Tatar said: "I will be heading to New York with a constructive attitude in the hope that we can make progress on the cooperation initiatives, so that we can give good news to both Turkish Cypriot People and Greek Cypriot People".
The President added: "All these people are going to New York for a two-day meeting. If we are going all that way, then something meaningful should come out of it. I have stated to Ms Holguin that we really want progress to be made on the crossing point issue, which will benefit both sides. This is, I believe, very important. I assured her that we are always open to constructive dialogue for mutually beneficial cooperation".
Responding to a question, President Tatar underlined that the Cyprus issue is different from other global conflicts, as the Greek Cypriot Administration was accepted as a member to the EU with the support of Greece, despite the 1960 treaties. He stated that the EU membership "violated the Cyprus Constitution, but the EU accepted the Greek Cypriot side regardless".
"Today, the EU, in the interests of showing solidarity with its own member, is not able to take an impartial approach on Cyprus. As for the UK, the military bases in the South "compromise its neutrality as a guarantor power," the President said. Referring to a recent meeting held in Azerbaijan, President Tatar emphasised the importance of the support from the Republic of Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He said President Erdoğan "underlined the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people in his addresses to Turkic states as well as countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. . . encouraging them to develop diplomatic, cultural, and political ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which helps elevate the TRNC’s standing and status".
"For the success of the new position, unity and solidarity are essential," President Tatar said, adding that he participated in the economic cooperation summit in Azerbaijan with the TRNC flag and under the name of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He added: “This was a very important summit that was attended by numerous heads of state and heads of government. They all listened to me. They are aware of the factual realities in Cyprus. There is a Turkish Cypriot State in the North. There are two States in Cyprus. Perhaps the State in the North is not yet formally recognised for various reasons, but the reality of the Island is that there are two States, two Peoples and two democracies in Cyprus."
President Tatar reiterated that, sooner or later, the TRNC must be recognised, stating: “I am not saying recognise us tomorrow morning, but eventually, you will. Because there is a structure, a reality, and a functioning society. The vision for two States in Cyprus is resonating, gaining wider acceptance and that unifying the two current structures on the island is no longer possible".
The President acknowledged that there may "not necessarily be an agreement today", but said that it is "important to strengthen the bridge between the past and the future. Through this, a fair, lasting, and sustainable settlement may one day be possible".
“Our aim is to reinforce that bridge and carry it into the future. For us, sovereignty, our State, the guarantee of Türkiye and our security are non-negotiable. In New York, we will have the opportunity to once again put forward our position on different issues," President Tatar said.
President Tatar confirmed the participation of all relevant parties in the informal meeting in a broader format, which, he said, will be attended by Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, the two leaders and UN Secretary-General Guterres -- who is convening the informal meeting.
President Tatar recalled that during the March 17–18 informal meeting, an agreement was reached on six key topics: the Technical Committee on Youth, demining, environmental and climate issues, cemetery restorations, and solar energy. It was also agreed that another informal meeting would be held in July.
"In the meeting today, I particularly expressed my disappointment about the lack of progress in relation to crossing points," President Tatar said. "As it is known, I have tried hard to make progress on the opening of a new crossing point, having proposed crossing points for Haspolat and Akıncılar -- located on the east-side of Lefkoşa, that would aleviate traffic congestion at the Metehan crossing point, but the Greek Cypriot leader is continuing to insist on a transit corridor, which has nothing to do with a crossing point between the North and the South," he said.
"As I stated to Ms. Holguin, 65 per cent of vehicle crossings take place through the Metehan checkpoint. The traffic congestion there is causing frustration to both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, who are expecting us as the two leaders to resolve this issue. I find it difficult to understand why the Greek Cypriot leader rejects our proposal to open a new crossing point in Haspolat and Akıncılar, which would be a win-win for all sides," President Tatar said.
Referring to the Geneva meeting, President Tatar stated that the Greek Cypriot side "sidestepped the crossing point issue", even though "the UN Secretary-General was present and heard the discussions" and emphasised that the crossing points are crucial for improving relations and people-to-people contacts between the two sides.
President Tatar pointed out his support for a technical committee on youth, mine clearance efforts, and solar energy projects. Regarding solar energy, he said: “If 35 per cent of electricity is produced from solar energy for the Turkish side, then that connection must be made directly to us. Every Turkish Cypriot would expect this. If all the energy is given to the South, and it is up to the Greek Cypriot Electricity Authority to arbitrarily allocate us 35 per cent, that is unacceptable. Electricity produced for the Turkish side must go directly to our own electricity authority. These are technical matters, but ultimately, it is an issue of sovereignty.”
President Tatar stated that they would approach the New York meeting "constructively," and said he had conveyed to Ms Holguin their "concerns regarding the property issue" and the "Greek Cypriot acts of intimidation of our people and investors". He noted that he had "sent a letter about this matter to the UN Secretary-General about three weeks ago", which was "taken into consideration by the Security Council and included in official reports".
Reaffirming that he is "open to dialogue and to cooperation initiatives that are aimed at improving relations with the Greek Cypriot side," President Tatar said: "I will be heading to New York with a constructive attitude in the hope that we can make progress on the cooperation initiatives, so that we can give good news to both Turkish Cypriot People and Greek Cypriot People".
The President added: "All these people are going to New York for a two-day meeting. If we are going all that way, then something meaningful should come out of it. I have stated to Ms Holguin that we really want progress to be made on the crossing point issue, which will benefit both sides. This is, I believe, very important. I assured her that we are always open to constructive dialogue for mutually beneficial cooperation".
Responding to a question, President Tatar underlined that the Cyprus issue is different from other global conflicts, as the Greek Cypriot Administration was accepted as a member to the EU with the support of Greece, despite the 1960 treaties. He stated that the EU membership "violated the Cyprus Constitution, but the EU accepted the Greek Cypriot side regardless".
"Today, the EU, in the interests of showing solidarity with its own member, is not able to take an impartial approach on Cyprus. As for the UK, the military bases in the South "compromise its neutrality as a guarantor power," the President said. Referring to a recent meeting held in Azerbaijan, President Tatar emphasised the importance of the support from the Republic of Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He said President Erdoğan "underlined the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people in his addresses to Turkic states as well as countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. . . encouraging them to develop diplomatic, cultural, and political ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which helps elevate the TRNC’s standing and status".
"For the success of the new position, unity and solidarity are essential," President Tatar said, adding that he participated in the economic cooperation summit in Azerbaijan with the TRNC flag and under the name of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He added: “This was a very important summit that was attended by numerous heads of state and heads of government. They all listened to me. They are aware of the factual realities in Cyprus. There is a Turkish Cypriot State in the North. There are two States in Cyprus. Perhaps the State in the North is not yet formally recognised for various reasons, but the reality of the Island is that there are two States, two Peoples and two democracies in Cyprus."
President Tatar reiterated that, sooner or later, the TRNC must be recognised, stating: “I am not saying recognise us tomorrow morning, but eventually, you will. Because there is a structure, a reality, and a functioning society. The vision for two States in Cyprus is resonating, gaining wider acceptance and that unifying the two current structures on the island is no longer possible".
The President acknowledged that there may "not necessarily be an agreement today", but said that it is "important to strengthen the bridge between the past and the future. Through this, a fair, lasting, and sustainable settlement may one day be possible".
“Our aim is to reinforce that bridge and carry it into the future. For us, sovereignty, our State, the guarantee of Türkiye and our security are non-negotiable. In New York, we will have the opportunity to once again put forward our position on different issues," President Tatar said.