President Ersin Tatar on Wednesday remained firm on its stance in favour of a two-state solution, stating that there was no going back from this this policy.
Tatar’s words came during a joint press conference with visiting Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz ahead of a face-to-face meeting early evening.
The Turkish VP echoed this stance, affirming Ankara’s full support for the TRNC’s position while noting that cooperation between the two countries is growing stronger.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday evening, President Tatar said that the TRNC continued to develop steadily and reiterated that any future agreement must be based on sovereign equality and equal international status.
Stressing that there is no turning back from this policy, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the two-state solution vision.
Tatar expressed his satisfaction in hosting Yılmaz and extended his gratitude to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his unwavering efforts toward the welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people.
He stressed the need for unity in advancing prosperity and development while cautioning against attempts to create divisions between the TRNC and TĂĽrkiye.
Referring to his recent informal dinner with Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides, Tatar explained that the meeting reaffirmed the absence of common ground between the two sides, while also acknowledging the distinct positions of each.
He stated that discussions included plans for an informal meeting involving the guarantor countries and efforts to open new border crossings.
While there was a general agreement on additional crossing points in the eastern part of LefkoĹźa, Tatar noted that the Greek Cypriot side insisted on transit passages rather than new checkpoints, which he viewed as an attempt to move outside the agreed framework.
He reaffirmed the TRNC’s commitment to fostering constructive and positive developments.
Despite ongoing embargoes, Tatar highlighted the TRNC’s continuous progress, describing it as a remarkable success story.
He emphasized that economic cooperation with TĂĽrkiye is key to ensuring prosperity, adding that peace on the island benefits both communities and has been maintained through the presence of Turkish forces.
Rejecting the prospect of a federal solution, he stated that any agreement must recognize the reality of two sovereign states, reaffirming that there would be no reversal of this policy.
Vice President Yılmaz, in his remarks, underscored the growing economic cooperation between Türkiye and the TRNC, stating that this partnership is also a testament to the TRNC’s independence.
He commended the resilience of the TRNC in overcoming challenges, including the pandemic, Türkiye’s recent earthquakes, and geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He noted that Türkiye has provided 15.9 billion Turkish Lira in financial support through the 2024 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement, funding significant projects to drive the TRNC’s development.
Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the TRNC’s growth spans multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture, with the recently announced Fourth Five-Year Development Plan serving as a key step in strengthening the TRNC’s international standing.
Highlighting the importance of political stability for economic progress, Yılmaz stated that security and governance must remain strong to enable sustained development.
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s backing for the TRNC’s two-state solution vision, emphasizing that a fair and lasting settlement must be based on the realities of the island.
He noted that peace has prevailed in Cyprus since 1974, allowing both communities to develop in stability.
Stressing that a two-state solution reflects the island’s current realities, he asserted that any resolution must not only benefit the TRNC but also contribute to the overall prosperity of Cyprus.