The National Unity Party (UBP) General Secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, emphasized that while the Greek Cypriot side seeks to continue federation negotiations, the Turkish Cypriot side demands sovereign equality, equal international status, and the recognition of these rights in UN records.

Hasipoğlu stated that as a manifestation of these rights, they also seek direct flights, direct trade and the ability to establish direct contacts in the international arena.

The National Unity Party (UBP) General Secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, who traveled to Geneva representing the UBP alongside UBP leader and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, issued a written statement.

Hasipoğlu noted that the Greek Cypriot side maintains its position of continuing federation negotiations from where they left off in Crans-Montana.

He reminded that “we had already conveyed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s (TRNC) new position and where we stood when we presented our proposals in Geneva in 2021 alongside our President, both to the UN Secretary-General and the Greek Cypriot administration.”

He stated that when they presented their proposals to UN Secretary-General António Guterres in 2021, Guterres responded by saying that it was time to discuss different things and that he had recorded their proposals.

“It should be known that there are now two different positions on the UN platform,” Hasipoğlu emphasized.

He pointed out that Guterres is now an experienced actor in the Cyprus issue and is well aware of past negotiation processes.

He also noted that Guterres knows exactly how the Crans-Montana talks collapsed in 2017 and who was responsible for it.

Hasipoğlu emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot side has consistently supported UN-led solution plans and noted that diplomats Lute and Holguín found no common ground between the two sides, a fact well known to Guterres.

Recalling Kofi Annan’s 2004 report advocating for lifting restrictions on Turkish Cypriots, he urged Guterres to make a similar call to restore balance and revive negotiations.

Expressing support for President Tatar’s vision, Hasipoğlu stated that both sides interpret UN federation parameters differently, making change unlikely after 40 years.

However, he stressed their willingness to cooperate and questioned whether the Greek Cypriot side is equally open to collaboration.