President Ersin Tatar has once again stressed that an agreement in Cyprus can only be possible with the acceptance of sovereign equality and equal international status.

Addressing the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative, Ms Holguin, to find common ground, Tatar noted that he had proposed the easing and removal of embargoes on direct flights and direct trade.

However, he reported that there had been no response from the other side.

Tatar was speaking during a visit paid to him on Monday by the newly elected board of the Cyprus TMT Fighters Association, led by Celal Bayar

Briefing the president on the association’s activities, the head of the TMT Fighters’ Association Celal Bayar expressed support for the two-state policy backed by both President Ersin Tatar and the Republic of Türkiye.

President Tatar for his part highlighted the progress made over the past 50 years, emphasizing that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is an independent Turkish state in the Eastern Mediterranean with contemporary values, institutions, and democracy.

He noted that the TRNC is an observer member of both the Organization of Turkic States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Reflecting on his recent contacts held in Gambia, Tatar mentioned his opportunity to discuss the realities of the TRNC with Islamic state officials at the OIC meeting.

He recalled that Turkish President Erdoğan has consistently advocated for the lifting of unjust embargoes against the Turkish Cypriot people and for the recognition of the TRNC’s independence on various international platforms, including the United Nations.

Tatar reiterated that a fair and lasting agreement in Cyprus can only be achieved by acknowledging the island’s realities.

He underlined the necessity of state-to-state negotiations and asserted that the acceptance of sovereign equality and equal international status for the Turkish Cypriot people is a fundamental right.

Addressing the international community, Tatar stated that the policy in harmony with the Republic of Türkiye continues and that the world now recognizes the existence of two separate states, two distinct peoples, and two different democracies on the island.