State and government officials continue to react to the UN Security Council resolution dated January 30, 2023 which has extended the mandate of UNFICYP for a year.

In a written statement, President Ersin Tatar said that the resolution which includes sections which were misleading and contradictory to the realities in Cyprus, was unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.

Describing the resolution as “unjust and political”, Tatar said that this reminds Turkish Cypriot side of the Security Council resolution 186, dated March 4, 1964.

He said that the Security Council, with this resolution, once again proved that it was biased in favour of the Greek Cypriot side.

“It will not be possible to reach a solution to the Cyprus Problem as long as the UN continues its stance,” the president added.

Stating that any just, lasting and viable settlement to be reached on the island needed to be based on two sovereign equal states, Tatar said, “This is the most realistic solution model which will benefit Cyprus and the region, because there are two separate peoples, two separate states and two separate democracies on the island. The UN Security Council must acknowledge these realities and change its stance.”

He also said that no one had the right to keep Turkish Cypriots chained to the negotiating table for another 50 years with the unrealistic hope of achieving a federal settlement.

“What the Greek Cypriots understand of a federal settlement and what they aim is to scrap the system of guarantees, to remove the presence of Turkish troops from the island and to downgrade us into a minority. This is something that we will never accept,” Tatar said.

The president also complained of the reference made in the resolution to a federal settlement, stating that this only served the Greek Cypriot side’s interests.

Regarding to the references made to the fenced-off town of Maraş, Tatar said that the threatening wording used in the resolution on the Maraş initiative was also unacceptable.

“The Maraş initiative which is based on international law and human rights is a great service to humanity. Maraş is TRNC soil and under the TRNC’s sovereignty. No one can be granted authority over the area. The Maraş initiative will continue despite the pressure and threats,” he added.

Tatar said that chances of reaching a settlement during the term of the to-be-elected new Greek Cypriot leader had also diminished with the extension of the UNFICYP mandate for 12 months, rather the usual six.

“We are still supportive of a just, lasting and sustainable settlement in Cyprus and our good will and constructive attitude will continue. The TRNC, established with the free will and struggle waged by the Turkish Cypriot people is sovereign. Our people will determine their own future. Those who want the future of our state and people to be in the hands of the Greek Cypriot side will not be successful. Our honourable and just struggle will continue,” he stressed.

President Ersin Tatar concluded his statement by thanking Türkiye which supported the TRNC at every platform.