President Ersin Tatar on Wednesday received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who is on the island to hold talks.

The meeting that took place at the Presidency lasted approximately an hour.

Presidential Undersecretary Okan Donangil, members of the negotiation committee and advisors also took part in the meeting.

Lacroix was accompanied by the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and Chief of Mission of the Peacekeeping Force Colin Stewart.

Making a statement to the press after the meeting President Tatar stated that they shared the views of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the events in Gaza.

Reminding that similar events had taken place in Cyprus, the president said that they conveyed the view that a two-state solution in Palestine would be the most valid solution and that the time had come to consider a two-state solution in Cyprus as well.

He also noted that if official negotiations are to begin in Cyprus then the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots should be accepted, as stated in the Geneva talks.

He also said that Lacroix stated that the UN Secretary-General would continue his efforts for the start of the talks but that he clearly understood the position of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Noting that the issue of Pile had come up again during the meeting, Tatar said that the position of the Turkish Cypriot side was once again expressed.

Emphasizing that the UN should maintain its principle of neutrality, President Tatar said once the road works have been completed then developments in the Pile area could take place with the approval of both sides.

Noting that the Greek Cypriot side started construction activities in some areas used by Turkish Cypriots and problems regarding this situation have been communicated to the UN, President Tatar stated that such a situation can never be accepted.

Explaining that the UN continues its presence on the island with an agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Nations, Tatar said, “Now there are two states in Cyprus and if the UN wants to continue its activities in North Cyprus, then they need to sign an agreement with us. Their approach on this issue was positive.”

Noting that they also conveyed to Lacroix their sensitivity about the need to obtain their approval on who will be the commander of the UN Peacekeeping Force, President Tatar stated that they shared the view that state authorities should also take part in the technical committees in order to strengthen the structure.

President Tatar also stated that they maintained their position two years ago on the appointment of a personal envoy by the Secretary General of the United Nations.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his part said that they had discussed the developments in the Middle East.

Stating that an agreement was reached between the two sides on the Yiğitler – Pile road project after an intensive negotiation process, Lacroix said that they will do everything in their power to implement the agreement.

Noting that the United Nations has provided great support to the technical committees, Lacroix also noted that they hope to make more use of the potential of the technical committees.