President Ersin Tatar on Tuesday met with the TRNC Friendship group as part of his contacts in London.

Drawing attention to the unjust embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot People, the president demanded the lifting of embargoes, ending the TRNC’s isolation and the launch of direct flights between the UK and the TRNC.

President Ersin Tatar came together with the TRNC Friendship Group within the House of Lords of the UK Parliament.

Speaking during the meeting, President Tatar informed the members of the Turkish Cypriot side’s new two-state policy and the developments in the TRNC.

He said that the unjust embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot People should be lifted immediately.

Stating that he was happy to be speaking in the UK parliament on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot People and to voice their just cause, Tatar said that the UK, as a guarantor country in Cyprus, should listen more to the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Explaining that as the TRNC, they were in constant contact with their British counterparts, exerting efforts on the issue of direct flights and direct trade, Tatar noted that Britain was well informed of the realities on the island and should take steps accordingly.

He reminded that Turkish Cypriots had endured great suffering after being expelled from the 1960 Republic through the force of arms which was why they will never abandon their struggle for existence, their state and the support of motherland Türkiye.

Tatar said that the British government should pay more attention to the expectations of the TRNC, complaining that the so-called Republic of Cyprus was a Greek Cypriot state.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot people will never bow down to pressure from the Greek Cypriot administration, he noted that the Turkish Cypriot People were an equal sovereign and independent people in Cyprus.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people have never approved or accepted the abolition of motherland Türkiye’s guarantees or the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, Tatar emphasized that the Republic of Türkiye had always stood by and supported the TRNC in every field.

Tatar also pointed out that the international community had failed to honour its promises to the Turkish Cypriot people and that many mistakes had been made in the past such as the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral membership to the EU.

“Despite having overwhelmingly supported the Annan Plan and all other solution models, the Turkish Cypriot people have continued to be punished” the president complained.

Stating that they were constantly faced with obstacles by the Greek Cypriot side on issues such as direct flights, direct trade, international contacts and participation in sporting events, Tatar said, “We have never given up and we continue our struggle to make our voice heard in the international arena despite all the obstacles.”

President Tatar noted that the Turkish Cypriot People will always defend their equality, independence and sovereignty.

The president expressed the view that direct flights between the TRNC and the UK should be launched immediately, particularly in light of the fact that there were thousands of Turkish Cypriots residing in the UK and twice that amount visiting the island for holidays.

Regarding a settlement on the island, Tatar said that it was out of the question for the Turkish Cypriots to accept an end to Türkiye’s guarantees.

He also said Turkish Cypriots had wasted enough time seeking a federal settlement which was why the time had come for a two-state solution on the island.

The president also touched upon the TRNC’s potential in terms of tourism and higher education as well as other investments.

“There are two equal sovereign states in Cyprus and a solution can be possible through cooperation of two co-existing states” Tatar stressed.

He added that the TRNC was also ready to cooperate with the Greek Cypriot side in different fields, particularly in the field of energy.