There is no official statement regarding a meeting between the two leaders in Cyprus in New York in September.
However, President Ersin Tatar, in a live broadcast on NTV on Monday, once again reminded the Turkish Cypriot side’s preconditions to hold official negotiations.
Tatar stressed that the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots and the rights arising from international agreements are not negotiable.
“We will not enter into an official negotiation process without direct trade, direct flights, and direct contact,” the President said.
Speaking on a live broadcast on NTV as part of his contacts in Istanbul on Monday, President Ersin Tatar said that everything had been tried and exhausted over the past 50 years to achieve a federal solution in Cyprus.
He said that the Greek Cypriot side’s intention was to keep the process open indefinitely to eventually bring the island under Greek Cypriot authority.
Tatar stressed that the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people and the rights arising from international agreements were not negotiable.
“If we are to enter a new process, we say that it will be with a new approach. We assert that we will only sit at the table if the inherent sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriots are recognized. This is not up for negotiation. Our sovereignty and the rights arising from international agreements are not negotiable” Tatar said.
Stating that steps toward easing isolation, such as direct flights and direct trade with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), would be satisfactory for engaging in negotiations, President Tatar, however noted that in recent days, the Greek Cypriot side had begun taking actions contrary to this.
Pointing out that the TRNC had gained even more significance in recent years, he stated that the Republic of Türkiye also had historical rights.
“Together with the Republic of Türkiye, we will continue to advocate for a two-state solution in Cyprus” Tatar stressed.
In response to a question, the President said that during his meeting with the UN Secretary-General in New York in September, he will once again raise the issue of isolation.
“Every time I meet with him, I tell him that the implementation of embargoes in this era is unacceptable” Tatar added.
Reminding that the promises made to the Turkish Cypriots were not kept and that the Greek Cypriot Administration was even made a member of the European Union, he said, “They want to force us into a defeat at the negotiating table, but the Turkish Cypriot people will not fall for this game.”
Stressing that that the Republic of Türkiye had always stood behind the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tatar highlighted the tourism and agriculture potential in the country despite the isolations and noted that the TRNC’s brand value is increasing day by day.
When reminded that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides had set a date for a trilateral meeting, Tatar said, “The Greek Cypriot leader is trying to speak on my behalf because he is in a difficult position.”
“We have laid out our conditions, and without these, it would be very wrong for me to participate in a trilateral meeting” the President said and he stressed that in order to sit at the negotiating table, direct trade, flights, and other obstacles must be removed, and the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people must be recognized.
“We have truly reached a good point, and we are in constant dialogue with the Republic of Türkiye” Tatar said and expressed confidence that as long as they maintain their firm stance, diplomacy will continue to be effective.