President Ersin Tatar has said that he tried to voice the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people during his meetings in New York within the framework of the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations.
He said that he had found the opportunity to explain during his meetings with other state officials and representatives that a two-state model in Cyprus was the best option for a peaceful, stable and secure future on the island.
Tatar was speaking at Ercan airport following his return to the island last night.
President Ersin Tatar told reporters at Ercan airport that he had held productive meetings in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
He pointed out that he had found the opportunity during his meetings to convey the Turkish Cypriot side’s position regarding a settlement in Cyprus.
“I informed the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that negotiations in Cyprus could only begin as and when the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people is recognised. The Turkish Cypriot side’s position and views were once again put on record by the UN,” Tatar said.
The president also said that it will not be necessary for the UN chief to appoint an envoy or representative to seek whether there is common ground for talks.
“We reached an agreement that the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo could carry out such a task.
Tatar also referred to the speech delivered by the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades at the UN General Assembly, stating that the Greek Cypriot leader had become more hostile and aggressive as the elections in South Cyprus approached.
He said that he had conveyed the Turkish Cypriot side’s reactions to the UN Secretary-General.
Tatar pointed out that what had pleased him the most during his contacts in New York was the address made to the General Assembly by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during which he had called for the lifting of the unjust embargoes on the Turkish Cypriot people and the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
He repeated his view that Erdoğan’s words had made a huge impact and had resonated across the world.
“The recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus would be the most correct thing to do to obtain a balance in Cyprus. Consolidating our rights and sovereignty will be our priority”, the president said, adding that the US’ decision to remove the arms sales embargo on the Greek Cypriot side will have negative consequences on efforts to reach a settlement on the island.
Tatar also complained that the Turkish Cypriot side was yet to receive an official response to the six cooperation proposals presented in early July.
“We conveyed these proposals to the Secretary-General who maintained a neutral and open-minded stance on the issue,” he said.
Also touching upon the UN Peacekeeping Forces’ (UNFICYP) position on the island, Tatar said that he had informed the UN chief of the Turkish Cypriot side’s demand for an agreement to be signed with the TRNC regarding UNFICYP’s operations in the north.