Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has indicated willingness to meet with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, but with conditions that could hinder progress, following his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.
Tatar, echoing recent statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he would attend a meeting that was not formal negotiations and did not involve discussions on a bicommunal, bizonal federation solution.
The Turkish Cypriot leader is seeking recognition of equal status and sovereignty for the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Turkey.
“If our inherent rights, namely sovereign equality and equal international status, are accepted, we are ready to start a new and official negotiation process,” Tatar said, according to a statement from his office.
Tatar proposed a “4+1” format meeting, including Turkey and Greece, to discuss Cyprus’s future outside of a federal solution framework.
He expressed readiness for informal discussions on issues such as natural resources and electricity interconnection, provided they occur “on the basis of equality”.
The leader criticised the Greek Cypriot side for “obstructive policies”, claiming they aim to “destroy the Turkish Cypriot economy” through measures such as arresting investors and preventing tourist organisations from arranging trips to Northern Cyprus.
Tatar also raised the issue of arrests by the Republic of Cyprus for illegal property transactions in the occupied territories during his meeting with Guterres.
The conditions set by Tatar align closely with Erdogan’s recent statements to the UN, calling for an end to “unfair embargoes” and for foreign states to establish relations with Northern Cyprus.
in-cyprus.philenews.com