President Ersin Tatar on Thursday responded to the latest remarks made by the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.
Stating that the Greek Cypriot leader’s efforts to involve other actors in the Cyprus issue were futile, the president stressed that any actor that the Turkish Cypriot side does not consent to cannot be involved in potential negotiations processes.
Tatar also expressed that the President of the European Parliament Metsola seemed to have forgotten the significant contribution of the EU to the perpetuation of the status quo.
Responding to a speech delivered by the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Christodoulides in the European Parliament, President Ersin Tatar noted that the Greek Cypriot leader had revealed in his speech why the Cyprus issue has remained unresolved for 60 years.
“While the Greek Cypriot leader repeats his attitude of disregarding and not treating the Turkish Cypriot people as equals, he also demonstrates his helplessness by calling for pressure on Türkiye, through the European Union (EU),” he said.
Stressing that the Greek Cypriot leadership needs to understand that their efforts to involve actors other than the UN in the Cyprus issue were futile, he reiterated that any actor that the Turkish Cypriot side does not consent to cannot be involved in potential negotiations processes.
“Since his election, Christodoulides has pursued a policy of advancing his so-called plan to involve the EU in the Cyprus issue in order to conceal his uncompromising and maximalist stance. It should be known that any unilateral effort regarding the future of Cyprus will not be accepted, and just like in his recent contacts, the Greek Cypriot leader will return empty-handed to South Cyprus,” Tatar said.
President Tatar also expressed that in her speech, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola seemed to have forgotten the significant contribution of the EU to the perpetuation of the status quo while stating that “Europe can never be completed as long as Cyprus remains divided.”
He pointed out that the EU, by admitting into the bloc the Greek Cypriot side that rejected the Annan Plan, deliberately violated its own membership criteria and disregarded the international treaties that established the 1960 Republic, thus continuing to act as if the Greek Cypriot leader has authority, sovereignty, and control over the entire island.
The President also stressed in his statement the existence of the reality of two states on the island of Cyprus.
“It is worth reiterating once again that there are two states on the island of Cyprus. The boundaries, administrations, and democratically elected leaders of these two states are well defined, and they have been coexisting based on these principles for decades. While these are the realities, those who seek to maintain the illusion that the Greek Cypriot leadership represents the entire island are not only contributing to the perpetuation of the deadlock but also to the consolidation of the current status quo” Tatar noted.
Stating that the path to a solution was clear, he said, “Let the Greek Cypriot leader confirm the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people, and let us start negotiations. Let’s reflect the realities on the ground and resolve this problem of deadlock.”
Stressing that if the European Union wanted to contribute to a consensus and a solution in Cyprus, it should encourage the Greek Cypriot leader in this direction, the President said otherwise, with its current stance that has become part of the problem, the EU cannot make a positive contribution to the Cyprus issue.
He pointed out that in the Greek Cypriot leader’s speech, baseless allegations were made and criticized him for targeting motherland Türkiye, on the issue of irregular migration.
President Tatar stressed that while the world was facing a global issue of irregular migration and witnessing humanitarian tragedies, it was not anyone’s place to criticize the Republic of Türkiye, which embraces these desperate people and provides them with livelihoods and shelter, even though the promised support is not provided.
“If they want to discuss this issue and cooperate, our proposal is still on the table. Instead of populism, they should accept our proposal and let our officials sit down and establish a collaborative framework on this matter” he said.
Noting that the Greek Cypriot leader used statements implying sole ownership and authority over hydrocarbon resources, and even made promises regarding natural gas, Tatar stated, “The Greek Cypriot leader should know that we will continue to defend our rights over the natural wealth for which we are equal stakeholders, with the support of the Republic of Türkiye.”
Reminding that they had made calls for cooperation on this matter as well, he stressed that it was evident which side is dragging their feet in this regard.
Addressing the Greek Cypriot side, President Tatar said, “Respond positively to our cooperation proposal that we sent to you through the UN Secretary-General on July 1, 2022. Let our technical teams sit at the table immediately, let’s cooperate, and let both sides, the island of Cyprus, relevant stakeholders, and our region benefit.”