Tatar: "EU Cannot Be Part of Any Process Without Our Consent"

Speaking to the Turkish News Agency-Cyprus (TAK), Tatar described the EU's move as a unilateral initiative that disregards the political realities and sensitive balances on the island. He argued that the appointment of former EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn as Special Representative is intended to revive and support the Greek Cypriot side’s “exhausted” federal solution model.

“The European Commission claims that Hahn has been appointed to contribute to efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus issue,” said Tatar, “but the language used in the announcement clearly aims to strengthen the Greek Cypriot narrative and reopen the path for a federal solution, which has already been exhausted.”

Tatar emphasized that the informal Geneva talks led by the UN Secretary-General had initiated a new dialogue environment based on the recognition of the sensitivities between the two sides. However, he said the EU’s move—made under pressure from the Greek Cypriots—does not support this atmosphere but instead serves to mask the intransigent and imposing policies of the Greek Cypriot leadership.

Reiterating the Turkish Cypriot side’s position, Tatar said the only viable solution is one based on sovereign equality and equal international status, under a two-state framework supported by Turkey. “There will be no stepping back from this vision,” he asserted.

Tatar warned that the will and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people cannot be ignored and stressed that a just, lasting, and realistic settlement can only be achieved through negotiations between the two peoples on an equal footing.

“Let me repeat once more,” Tatar concluded, “the EU cannot be part of any process without our consent. We will continue our close contacts with the UN Secretary-General and will engage constructively and with a results-oriented approach within the framework of the six initiatives agreed upon with Personal Envoy Holguín, who is expected to visit the island at the end of the month.”