President Ersin Tatar has called on the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodulides to abandon his current policy towards Turkish Cypriots which he described as a PR stunt and to initiate a cooperation process that will benefit both peoples on the island.

Tatar was speaking to the BRT regarding a unilateral measures package aimed at Turkish Cypriots that the Greek Cypriot leader is expected to announce is needed.

Evaluating reports that the Greek Cypriot leadership is preparing to announce a unilateral measures package aimed for Turkish Cypriots ahead of the arrival next week of the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, President Ersin Tatar said that the move was a PR gimmick aimed at shaping perceptions of the Greek Cypriot side.

“This move is nothing more than an attempt by Mr Christodulides to appear cute,” he said adding that the Greek Cypriot leadership, especially after the appointment of the Personal Representative to the UN Secretary-General, has been intensifying its political moves to increase the pressure, persecution, and isolation policies against Turkish Cypriots they have been implementing since transforming the partnership Republic into a Greek Cypriot state in 1963.

“Not only are these moves hindering efforts to bring the two communities closer, but have also been disrupting established mechanisms that work for the benefit of both sides, acting against the interests of both parties. By taking a political step to make our economic situation even more challenging, they have revealed their true intentions,” he said.

Tatar said that the package in question to be announced before the arrival of the UN Personal Representative was a move by the Greek Cypriot side to advance it policy of domination and undermine Turkish Cypriot political will.

He reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side had already submitted to the Greek Cypriot side a 6-point set of proposals for cooperation.

“Our proposals have already been prepared based on the principles we reached with the Greek Cypriot leadership. Cooperation on any issue on this island should be carried out in a way that respects the common interests and equality of both sides, as well as in a manner whereby one side does not impose authority over the other.

Our proposals have been prepared in this way, and our proposal to start this cooperation dialogue, which will be beneficial for both peoples, the island of Cyprus, and our region, as the two leaders under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Mr. Guterres, is still on the table,” he said.

Tatar concluded his remarks by calling on the Greek Cypriot leader to abandon his current policy towards Turkish Cypriots which he described as a PR stunt and to initiate a cooperation process that will benefit both peoples on the island.

“If you are sincere Mr. Christodulides lets initiate a cooperation process for the benefit of both our peoples and the island of Cyprus,” he said.