Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar on Cyprus Issue at UN Media Stakeout

Trilateral Meeting and Dialogue

• 🤝 Ersin Tatar expressed gratitude for the UN Secretary-General's role in facilitating a trilateral meeting with his Greek Cypriot counterpart.
• 🗣️ He emphasized his readiness to engage in dialogue and foster people-to-people contacts between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.

New Vision for Cyprus

• ❌ Tatar stated that negotiations based on a federal model have failed, necessitating a new approach.
• ✨ He proposed a new vision based on sovereign equality and equal international status, envisioning two states coexisting as good neighbors.
• 🌍 He called on the international community to discern the intentions of the Greek Cypriot side, citing recent rhetoric as hostile.

Cooperation Initiatives

• 🤝 Tatar highlighted practical cooperation initiatives proposed over the past five years, including energy, trade, tourism, and environmental measures.
• 🌉 He reiterated his commitment to opening additional border crossing points, specifically at Hasbat and Akangul, to ease daily life for ordinary people.
• 🏛️ He also confirmed readiness to move forward on agreed initiatives concerning the exchange of cultural artifacts, microplastic pollution, air quality management, and civil society engagement.

Concerns and Future Outlook

• ⚠️ Tatar expressed concern over the Greek Cypriot leadership's actions, including arrests, targeting of those engaging with the Turkish Cypriot side, and obstruction of new crossings.
• 🕊️ He reaffirmed his commitment to a constructive stance and pursuing initiatives that foster cooperation.
• 🇹🇷 He reiterated gratitude to Turkey's President for calling for international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and an end to its isolation.
• 🌟 Tatar believes that realism, mutual respect, and recognition of sovereign equality can create a future of stability and prosperity for both communities.