President Ersin Tatar has said that the Greek Cypriot leader to be elected should think outside the box and see the realities that have emerged over the past 60 years.

Speaking to the highest circulated newspaper in South Cyprus Phileleftheros, Tatar repeated that it will be out of the question for official negotiations to begin until the Turkish Cypriots’ sovereign equality is recognized.

In an interview the Greek Cypriot daily, with just two weeks left to the presidential elections in the South, President Ersin Tatar said it was important not to lose hope when it comes to the Cyprus Problem but reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s position that no official talks can begin until the Turkish Cypriots’ sovereign equality is recognised.

“However we are ready for all forms of dialogue, for meetings, for social gatherings. That is why I am happy to be meeting with Mr Anastasiades before he leaves office. All these meetings could be useful for a solution in the future,” he said.

Tatar pointed out that security was the most important issue for the Turkish Cypriot side, reminding that peace and stability had come to the island with the arrival of Turkish troops.

He said that international developments and changes should also be taken into consideration.

“Türkiye has become one of the most important countries in the world as a result of these changes. It is one of the most important actors in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus is an important island in the region,” the president said.

Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side had proposed the Greek Cypriot side for the establishment of a joint committee to discuss the fair distribution of natural resources discovered off the coast of Cyprus which Turkish Cypriots, as co-founders of the 1960 Cyprus Republic had a say over.

“Unfortunately our Greek Cypriot friends who see us a minority acted as if they were the owners of the island; they’re telling us they will give us a share in the future,” he said.

Tatar said that contrary to claims, the Turkish Cypriot side desired a settlement and cooperation with the Greek Cypriots.

He added that he was ready to meet with the new Greek Cypriot leader after the elections but that it was important that he was able to think outside the box and acknowledge the realities that have come into being over the past 60 years.

Tatar also said that he would be able to convey and explain to him the Turkish Cypriot side’s vision, views and concerns.

“Currently there is peace in Cyprus, there is freedom. Greek Cypriots cross over to the TRNC and Turkish Cypriots to the south. People on both sides are able to enjoy themselves we have trade and cooperation. We want to improve the lives of people on both sides but the recognition of our sovereign equality is important,” he stressed.

Asked if he had a message for the New Greek Cypriot leader, Tatar said,” recognize our sovereign equality so we may discuss other issues. I would like to stress that the guarantees are very critical for us. Otherwise we shall feel extremely threatened. We want an island where people can cooperate, work and live together.”

Reminding that Greek Cypriots felt threatened by the presence of Turkish forces in the TRNC, President Ersin Tatar said,” You talk about Turkish troops but the British are here, you have agreements signed with other countries such as France. If you look at the matter realistically you will see that the Turkish army’s only mission and function in Cyprus is to protect the Turkish Cypriots and to maintain regional stability. I believe that the presence of Turkish forces is also important for Greek Cypriots.”

Tatar said that the claims that the system of guarantees was outdated and anachronistic were not valid as the EU had proven not to be a reliable institution for Turkish Cypriots.

Asked if allowing Cyprus to join NATO could be a solution to the problem of security, the president said that Türkiye was too much of an important ally and that Ankara would never accept such a proposal.

Also responding to a question whether the UN Secretary-General will be appointing a special advisor to Cyprus any time soon, Tatar said that such an appointment could be possible only once common ground is reached between the two sides and official talks begin.