President Ersin Tatar on Monday reiterated his support for a two-state solution.

“Only with the confirmation of sovereign equality and equal international status for the Turkish Cypriot side can negotiations be back on the table,” he said, speaking to reporters after meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin for a second meeting this week.

In what was an extremely short meeting, the UNSG’s personal envoy left the presidential palace on Monday without speaking to the press following her meeting with President Ersin Tatar which lasted just short of half an hour.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, President Ersin Tatar thanked the UN envoy for her efforts but repeated his remarks from last week that there would be no new talks until the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot side is accepted.

Reminding that the current policy on the Cyprus issue had been determined in full harmony and collaboration with Ankara, Tatar said that the Greek Cypriot administration, which enjoyed international recognition and EU membership, had demonstrated time and time again that it has no intention of reaching a settlement with Turkish Cypriots on the basis of political equality.

“Despite this reality, Turkish Cypriots who have repeatedly demonstrated their good will and intentions in favour of a solution have continued to be punished under unjust and inhumane embargoes,” he said.

Tatar said that he had told Holguin on several occasions that a new process could be initiated if steps were to be taken that would ease the isolation of Turkish Cypriots such as direct flights or direct trade.

“Unfortunately, Ms Holguin said that this was not possible which is why we told her that it was out of the question to launch official negotiations under these circumstances,” the president said.

He pointed out that every process had conditions and that the conditions for the return of Turkish Cypriots to the table were for the lifting of the embargoes and the recognition of the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Tatar also reminded that so far Holguin, whose mandate was to seek common ground between the two sides, had failed to achieve her mission.

“I hope that the report she will be writing will be balanced and well reflective of the realities. I know she has met with civil society and other groups who may have differing views but let it not be forgotten I am here as an elected president,” he noted.