President Ersin Tatar has strongly condemned the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Georgios’s repeated references to ending the “Turkish occupation,” describing them as hate speech and provocative rhetoric.

He said the Archbishop’s latest Easter message once again demonstrated the absence of common ground between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.

Speaking during a meeting with the newly elected executive board of the Foreign Press Association led by Burhan Canbaz, President Tatar criticized the Archbishop’s annual use of such terminology, warning that it reflects a long-standing ENOSIS mentality that seeks to expel the Turkish presence from the island.

“There is no difference between saying ‘expel the Turks’ and ‘expel the Turkish occupier.’ These are expressions of the same mindset that refuses to accept the presence of the Turkish nation on the island,” he said.

President Tatar recalled that the arrival of Turkish troops in 1974 was not an act of occupation but a legitimate intervention under Türkiye’s guarantor rights, following the Greek-led coup of July 15, 1974.

He noted that the Turkish intervention had prevented Cyprus from becoming a Greek island and stressed that references to “occupation” ignore this historical reality.

Tatar also pointed to the influential role of the Church in Greek Cypriot politics, saying it is often perceived as a political force.

Reiterating the Turkish Cypriot commitment to sovereign equality and equal international status, Tatar said the Archbishop’s recurring language only confirms the validity of the TRNC’s two-state policy.

“We are fighting to protect the rights and legal status of the Turkish Cypriots and to ensure our peaceful existence on these lands,” he stated. He added that the rhetoric of “ending the Turkish occupation” is not only inflammatory but underscores the absence of shared ground between the two sides.

Tatar also stressed that despite facing political pressure, the TRNC continues its deep-rooted ties with the Turkic states and remains committed to strengthening these historical bonds.

He concluded by reaffirming: “We will not abandon the two-state policy. We will not give up the presence of Turkish troops or Türkiye’s role as guarantor. The time of federation fantasies is long past.”

On a separate note, Tatar highlighted the significance of TEKNOFEST, which will be hosted in the TRNC from May 1–4, with the opening ceremony to be attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

He described the event as a milestone for the country, offering vital exposure and opportunities in the fields of space and technology.