In a year-end statement, President Ersin Tatar described 2024 as a year of paradigm shifts and turning points for the Cyprus issue.

He emphasized that no solution would be sustainable unless it reflected the realities on the ground and predicted that 2025 would be an equally intense year in terms of developments.

President Tatar in his final statement for 2024 highlighted the upcoming meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader to discuss the opening of new crossing points, which he strongly supports as a step toward fostering cooperation and boosting mutual economic activity.

Additionally, he noted that a broader informal meeting would take place in Switzerland in March 2025, aimed at discussing initiatives beneficial to both sides.

Reflecting on 2024, Tatar pointed to his extensive consultations with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative, Maria Holguín.

Over six months, they discussed proposals related to “direct trade, direct flights, and direct contacts,” which he termed the “3D proposals” as initial steps toward confirming sovereign equality and equal international status.

On October 15, Tatar participated in an informal dinner with the Greek Cypriot leader and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

He remarked that Guterres’ subsequent written statement clarified the lack of common ground for a new formal process, countering what he described as the Greek Cypriot leadership’s manipulative efforts.

Tatar also stressed the importance of addressing realities on the ground to achieve a sustainable solution.

“Failure to ground our approach in reality will perpetuate the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people, as has been the case since 1968, and maintain the Greek Cypriot leadership’s comfort zone of hostile policies,” he stated.

President Tatar underlined his support for opening additional crossing points, rejecting the Greek Cypriot leadership’s proposals for transit crossings while awaiting new ideas from their side.

“Opening the crossings would contribute to a culture of cooperation and significantly enhance mutual economic activities,” he said.

Tatar also highlighted the upcoming informal meeting in Switzerland, which will focus on collaboration opportunities that benefit both communities.

Before this, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo is expected to visit the island to prepare for the talks.

“We aim not to preserve the status quo but to work toward a realistic resolution,” Tatar emphasized, reiterating the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.

Despite efforts for cooperation, Tatar criticized the Greek Cypriot leadership for targeting the Turkish Cypriot economy through measures against the real estate sector, tourism, and higher education.

“We will continue to call for cooperation and protect our people’s rights with determination,” he affirmed.