President Tatar Advocates for Equal Status in Cyprus Negotiations

President Ersin Tatar has reiterated that the path to successful negotiations in Cyprus lies in the recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the people of North Cyprus. Without this acknowledgment, he argues, a common ground for talks cannot be established.

In a statement to the Turkish Agency for Cyprus ahead of his scheduled meeting with the UN Secretary General’s Personal Representative, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, President Tatar stressed the importance of equality in the negotiation process. He emphasized, “The common ground required for a new and official process can only be found with the confirmation of our sovereign equality and equal international status.”

Holguin Cuellar, whose term as the UN Secretary General’s Personal Representative is nearing its end, has been actively engaging with both sides of the Cyprus issue. Recently, she met with the South Cyprus leader in Brussels and is set to meet President Tatar in London. President Tatar highlighted that her role, which was approved for six months, involves assessing whether there is potential for a new official negotiation process in Cyprus.

During her tenure, Holguin Cuellar has been exposed to the perspectives of both parties. President Tatar noted, “We conveyed the realities to the personal representative. She met with all segments and observed that there is currently no common ground.”

President Tatar outlined the initial steps towards establishing the people of North Cyprus‘ sovereign equality and equal international status through what he termed the 3D approach: direct flight, direct trade, and direct contact. He pointed out that these elements are crucial for moving forward and criticized South Cyprus for not viewing the people of North Cyprus as equals. “The Greek Cypriots desire a solution based on their own state, not one imposed on equality,” he remarked.

The upcoming meeting with Holguin Cuellar will serve as an opportunity to assess the situation constructively. President Tatar observed that the Cyprus issue remains unresolved primarily due to the maximalist attitudes of South Cyprus, which resist sharing power and embracing equality. He added that this ongoing stance of the South Cyprus leadership has been noted by Holguin Cuellar.

President Tatar’s insistence on sovereign equality and equal international status underscores the core demands of the people of North Cyprus in the Cyprus negotiations. Without these key recognitions, he believes that a viable and lasting solution will remain elusive.

As Holguin Cuellar prepares to present her report to the UN Secretary General, the outcome of these discussions will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of Cyprus negotiations. The acknowledgment of equal status for the people of North Cyprus remains a pivotal issue that could determine the direction and success of any forthcoming talks.