President Ersin Tatar emphasized that the current agenda was no longer the Annan Plan but rather a focus on national politics.
Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the Annan Plan referendum, Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriots have learned from the experiences of the past 20 years.
Speaking to the Turkish Cypriot News Agency on the 20th anniversary of the Annan Plan referendum, President Tatar highlighted that the injustices inflicted upon the Turkish Cypriot people over the past two decades are now more apparent, noting that the people have learned their lessons from all these experiences.
He pointed out that there are two separate peoples, two separate democracies, and two separate states in Cyprus, indicating that the Annan Plan, which envisaged two federated states, is now far behind.
“The Annan Plan was a great injustice to the Turkish Cypriots. Those who said ‘Yes’ were punished, and those who said ‘No’ were rewarded. Injustices against the Turkish Cypriots continue even after 20 years. This is a betrayal of the Turkish Cypriots,” Tatar said.
Highlighting the growing bond of the Turkish Cypriots with their land and the further development of the TRNC over the last two decades, Tatar asserted, “We are firmly committed; should another Annan Plan resurface, the response from the people will unequivocally be negative.”
Tatar expressed his reaction to those who currently consider the referendum as a “missed opportunity,” stating that this is no longer the agenda and that the current focus is on national politics and the gains that can be achieved in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Tatar stressed that a politics that suggests the eventual disappearance of the Turkish Cypriots cannot be considered a national policy.
He added that Turkish Cypriots see their future in their sovereignty, equal international status, and the strengthening of their own state, “For all these reasons, the path is two states. An agreement can be reached on the island through the cooperation of two states. With good neighbourly relations, prosperity and happiness can be sustained on this island.”
He also noted that Turkish Cypriots were under no pressure or obligation to return to the negotiating table.
“Once the Turkish Cypriot people find a new policy, there is no turning back. No one can underestimate a policy that Türkiye fully supports,” Tatar added.