President Ersin Tatar said on Thursday that Turkiye’s guarantees were legitimate and a right stemming from history.

He said that the conflict in Ukraine has proven that the world will remain a bystander if you don’t have a guarantor or someone to safeguard your security.

Speaking during a visit to the Yörük Industrialists and Businesspersons’ Association in Antalya’s district of Konyaaltı, as part of his contacts on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Tatar said that the TRNC has been battling Covid-19 for the past two years which has led to a drop in tourist and students visiting the country.

Stressing that the global prices have skyrocketed as a result of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, President Ersin Tatar expressed belief that the Turkish Cypriot people will be able to overcome the current economic crisis.

“What is important is our sovereignty, our independence, our state and our republic,” he said.

Tatar also said that a serious struggle was being waged to defend the Turkish nation’s rights over the region’s hydrocarbons as well as to preserve geostrategic and geopolitical interests.

He pointed out that the Turkish side had stopped negotiating a federal settlement after decades of failed talks with the Greek Cypriot administration.

“A federation with Greek Cypriots means a partnership with Greek Cypriots. That means a joint administration under EU federal laws. Since the Republic of Turkiye is not in the EU it means that Turkiye will sooner or later lose its influence in Cyprus. We would never accept this because we share a joint destiny,” Tatar said.

The president said that the continuation of Turkiye’s active and effective guarantees as well as the presence of Turkish troops was more important than anything else.

Responding to questions, Tatar said that the reopening of the fenced-off city of Maraş will contribute to the development of the TRNC’s economy.

“According to all historic records and title deeds, Maraş was Ottoman land. As of today, parts of the fenced-off town have been opened to the public. The beachfront and public spaces are now open to visitors. More than 400,000 visitors have visited the area,” he said.