President Ersin Tatar is in the US and will be meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later today.
While on his visit to the US, President Ersin Tatar answered Anadolu Agency’s questions.
He stated that it is not realistic to start the negotiation process without confirming the Turkish Cypriot peoples equal national status in Cyprus and that the embargoes imposed on his country should be lifted.
“It is now necessary to change the rules of the game in Cyprus,” said Tatar.
While answering questions regarding the Cyprus issue to AA, President Ersin Tatar said the reality that there are two separate peoples and two separate authorities in Cyprus is accepted by everyone.
Touching upon the embargoes imposed against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), President Tatar said that the embargoes should be lifted as soon as possible in order to achieve a realistic, fair and sustainable agreement on the island.
“It is now necessary to change the rules of the game in Cyprus” said Tatar adding that it is not realistic for the Turkish Cypriot side to start the negotiation process again without confirming their sovereign equality and equal national status.
He also underlined the need for a biased approach to all parties in Cyprus in order to reach a solution on the island.
He said that he would raise this issue during his meeting with the UN Secretary General today.
Tatar reminded that the UN had promised to ease embargoes if Türkiye supported the Annan Plan.
However, the UN Security Council was unable to make such a decision, resulting in the continuation of embargoes and isolations against the TRNC for the past 20 years.
Tatar emphasized that the Greek Cypriot Administration has no incentive to negotiate on equal terms with the Turkish Cypriot side, as they have not faced the same embargoes and are part of the European Union.
He expressed his determination to correct these imbalances and stated that the demands of the TRNC can be effectively conveyed to the international community through UN Security Council member countries.
Tatar also highlighted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s calls for recognition of the TRNC, noting that Türkiye’s support serves as a crucial assistance to the Turkish Cypriots.
Regarding Turkey’s improving relations with the US and Greece, Tatar believes that these developments could potentially create an environment for the oppressed Turkish Cypriots to assert their rights and achieve justice.
The President also emphasized the need for Türkiye to remain the guarantor of peace in Cyprus, due to ongoing armament in South Cyprus and the desire of some groups to connect the island to Greece.