Tatar makes statement to TAK
Date Added: 02 February 2022

President Ersin Tatar met with the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Cyprus Colin Stewart on Monday.

Evaluating the meeting to the Turk Ajansi Kıbrıs (TAK) Tatar said his meeting with Stewart was pleasant and that Stewart had carried out meetings with the UN Secretary General and relevant members of the Security Council in New York and had conveyed his findings on Cyprus.

Tatar said “of course they know about the problems. What the UN Secretary General and Security Council members expect from us is to intensify the work that is being carried out by the bilateral committees, increase the cooperation between the two peoples in a way that will be for the common benefit to all and increase the number of joint projects”.

Noting that projects by the health committee, cultural committee, gender equality committee and other committees are still continuing, Tatar said “we shared some of our views and thoughts that will assist in increasing trade between the two sides. I even told him that opening another crossing point in Lefkoşa, the Mağusa Gate would be good.”

Tatar also stated that he told the Canadian diplomat that the Cyprus issue has been ongoing for 60 years and that it is not possible to reach a solution in the near future.

“It is out of the question for us to step back from the new policy and new vision of the Turkish Cypriot side, a vision based on sovereign equality and international status that I brought to the agenda in Geneva on April 27-29. Our new position on this issue and Turkiye’s support is clear” stated Tatar.

He also conveyed to Stewart that they want to carry out the Maraş opening through the Immovable Property Commission by respecting property rights and in accordance with the law.

Tatar also stated that in order for official negotiations to begin the Turkish Cypriot side’s demand for sovereign equality and equal international status must be accepted.

Noting that they also discussed the issue of appointing a new envoy of the UN Secretary General to Cyprus with Stewart, President Ersin Tatar said, “Unfortunately, there is a bottleneck on this matter at the moment as the Secretary-General still had not appointed a new envoy. This is also a problem. Of course, we shared our opinion that there should be a new envoy one who has parallel powers to Jane Holl Lute.”