President Ersin Tatar said on Thursday said that the Turkish Cypriot side was always open to dialogue to be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.

He added that he will be coming together with the newly elected Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides for an informal meeting in the near future but that what was important was not the change in leadership but the dominant mentality of the Greek Cypriot side.

Speaking on BRT on Thursday, President Ersin Tatar said he had little expectation of any changes on the Cyprus issue despite the election of the new Cypriot leader.

“Mr Christodoulides has a tougher stance on the Cyprus issue as he frequently talks about reunification and of Cyprus taking the place it deserves within the EU. Its my view that it wouldn’t have made a difference if Mr Mavroyannis has been elected instead of Mr Christodoulides. Just remember Mr Anastasiades was someone who supported the Annan Plan but later he was responsible for the collapse of the talks in Crans Montana,” Tatar said.

The president pointed out that the Greek Cypriot administration with all its institutions had a common goal which was for the continuation of the so-called Republic of Cyprus.

He added that the Greek Cypriot side also believed that there was  single sovereignty and a single identity on the island.

“Underneath it all is that Cyprus is a Greek island and that since Cyprus is an EU member there is no room for Türkiye, that the system of guarantees should sooner or later be scrapped and that Turkish troops should leave the island,” Tatar said.

President Ersin Tatar said that it was not possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept a settlement under such circumstances.

He added that the presence of Turkish troops and the continuation of Türkiye’s guarantees was vital for the Turkish Cypriot people.

The president also pointed out that there were serious differences between the two sides as regards a settlement to the Cyprus Problem.

“It’s difficult to say how these differences may be overcome or whether it is possible at all. The international community will need to bend the Greek Cypriot side’s arm if we are to achieve any progress,” he added.

Asked about the recent contacts held by British parliamentarians in the TRNC, Tatar said that he and his associates had explained to the visiting MPs the importance of achieving a settlement on the basis of the realities on the island.

“We explained to them that a settlement in Cyprus is not possible until Turkish Cypriots and their sovereignty is recognised,” he said.

Tatar added that Turkish Cypriots should not be seen as a Muslim minority on the island and that talks can only begin as and when the two sovereign entities on the island are accepted.

The president also said that there was an ongoing effort by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Colin Stewart to arrange a meeting with the newly elected Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides.

“There is no harm in coming together for an informal meeting, for a coffee. We can always begin talks if the Greek Cypriot side recognizes our sensitivities, acknowledges our red lines and accepts our sovereign equality. Something I have shared with the new Greek Cypriot leader,” he said.

Also touching upon the issue of Maraş, Tatar reminded that all property holders in the fenced-off town could apply to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC).