President Ersin Tatar made a statement to the press following his meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides in the UN Buffer Zone that was hosted by Colin Stewart, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Stressing that there are “two separate States, two separate authorities, two separate regions and two separate democracies in Cyprus for the past 60 years,” President Tatar stated that it is high time for the factual realities on the ground to be accepted, for there to be mutual respect, and to look forward to the creation of a culture of cooperation.

President Tatar said: “The most important necessity is for there to be mutual respect.  I have stated our readiness to cooperate on issues that will be of benefit to the two States and the two Peoples.”

President Tatar said that in the meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader, he had raised the issue of the intimidation policy by the Greek Cypriot leadership against the Turkish Cypriot People.  “These individuals are adhering to the laws of the TRNC. It is unacceptable to target such individuals, and this trend is being intensified. Such course of action only serves to increase tensions between the two Sides and most certainly does not come within the frame of the objective of new initiatives we have agreed to work on in order to create a culture of cooperation and build trust,” President Tatar said.

Stating that he had also raised the issue of a solar power plant in the buffer zone that will be funded by the European Union, President Tatar added: “The Greek Cypriot Side is rejecting a separate connection to each of the respective electricity grids. It is only natural that we request our share of the energy to be delivered directly to our electricity authority, Kıb-Tek.”

Stating that “with the cooperation of the two States, joint work can be carried out on technical issues regarding water resources, energy, mine clearance and the restoration of cemeteries,” President Tatar noted that in order to achieve progress in these areas, it is "essential for there to be equal status of the two sides".

 

“There are two separate peoples, two separate democracies, two separate states in Cyprus”

President Tatar underlined that the Greek Cypriot leader, in his statement during the meeting, made continuous references to a “Reunited Cyprus”,  and did not even refer to a “federation”, adding: “This approach does not fit the factual realities on the ground in Cyprus. . . there have been two separate peoples, two separate authorities, two separate democracies and two separate States in Cyprus for the past 60 years. It is not possible for any process to progress if you brush these facts under the carpet.”

 

“The new committee will contribute to young people’s solution-oriented thinking and taking responsibility”

President Tatar said: “Today, we as the two leaders participated in the inaugural meeting of the newly established Technical Committee on Youth – which has become the 13th technical committee between the two Sides, consisting of 16 Turkish Cypriot and 16 Greek Cypriot youths, with gender equality.”

“I congratulated the youths from both sides,  reminded them of the responsibilities they face, and expressed my trust and confidence in them in tackling the issues and challenges that are facing the youths from both sides.  The role of the youth in shaping the future cannot be overstated as they are the future.  It is my view that they will provide a fresh new dynamic, energy, creativity and innovative ideas to tackling issues faced by the youths.”

 

“Intimidations by the Greek Cypriot Side against our people on the property issue are increasing tensions”

Referring to the intimidations by the Greek Cypriot Side against the Turkish Cypriot People on property issues, President Tatar said: “One of the main topics of my statement today was in relation to my great disappointment and concern over the surge of intimidations on Turkish Cypriots regarding their dealings with properties in the TRNC. This is totally unacceptable and is detrimental to the objectives of the “new atmosphere” – as stated by the UN Secretary-General, to create trust between the two Sides. It has the oppositive effect of what we want to achieve and is increasing tensions."

President Tatar added: “Following the separately held simultaneous referenda for the UN Comprehensive Settlement (Annan) Plan in April 2004 that was rejected by the Greek Cypriot People by 76 per cent and accepted by the Turkish Cypriot People by 65 per cent, the TRNC established the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), that has been endorsed by the European Court of Human Rights. Former Greek Cypriot property owners can apply to the IPC and seek an effective legal remedy.  There is an existing mechanism to handle property claims. Therefore, why is the Greek Cypriot Side, after all these years, intensifying its intimidation against our people in this manner? We see this as being politically motivated and a harassment that needs to be stopped immediately.  This is what I have today stated to the Greek Cypriot leader. I have also asked Mr. Stewart to report this development to the UN Secretary-General.”

President Tatar stated that it is “unacceptable for people who invest through completely legal means within the framework of the laws of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be targeted and even for some individuals to be apprehended and detained in Southern Cyprus”.

 

Opening of new crossing points

In reference to the opening of new crossing points, President Tatar said: “The proposal of the Turkish side on the matter of new crossing points is clear. There is a growing expectation among both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to relieve the congestion and prolonged waiting times at Metehan – especially during mornings and evenings --  through the opening of new crossing points that can also accommodate vehicles. I have proposed the opening of crossing points in Haspolat and Akıncılar-Limbiya.   Despite my constructive proposal, the Greek Cypriot side is continuing to insist on South-to-South transit corridors at Erenköy and Kiracıköy. These proposals are unacceptable to us because they pose problems for security and other issues for us.”

President Tatar stated that Maria Holguin, the newly appointed Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, is expected to visit the Island of Cyprus in May, in order to help in the preparation of the informal meeting that is planned to be held at the end of July.   The President added that Ms. Holguin will also be holding contacts with the guarantor powers – Türkiye, Greece and the United Kingdom, as well as the respective sides.

“I have repeatedly stated that we, as the Turkish Cypriot Side, are open to dialogue, contact and the observance of mutual respect between the two sides. We have always been open to cooperation and will never shy away from this, so long as it is based on mutual respect and is beneficial to the two Sides,” President Tatar said.