Ersin Tatar: No Need for Tripartite Meeting Without Resolving Property Issues

During his one-and-a-half-hour private meeting with Holguín, Tatar described the Republic of Cyprus's property-based arrest practices as “terrorist activity” and stressed that progress in negotiations cannot be achieved while these actions continue.

Tatar praised Holguín’s previous six-month report for clearly indicating that no common ground currently exists for a new negotiation process in Cyprus. He also referenced UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s informal October 2024 meeting in New York, which similarly acknowledged the lack of common ground but opened dialogue on cooperation between the two states.

Highlighting the ongoing daily life and mutual benefit of joint projects and cooperation, Tatar noted that Holguín’s reappointment reflects a commitment to build trust through such initiatives.

Tatar reminded Holguín of the six agreed areas of progress reached in Geneva in March and the preparation needed for a broad participation meeting planned for the end of July.

He strongly condemned the Greek Cypriot side’s recent arrests related to property issues, labeling these actions as attempts to terrorize and exert pressure, which he said he had discussed with Guterres and Holguín on multiple occasions. He warned that such behavior undermines efforts to build cooperation and new atmospheres for dialogue.

Tatar pointed out that Christodoulides remained silent when this issue was raised during a recent meeting, while the scale of these “terrorizing acts” has increased since March. He insisted these activities must stop for meaningful progress and upcoming meetings to be effective.

Reaffirming the existence of two separate authorities on the island since 1974, Tatar stressed the legal framework established for the Turkish Cypriot people to determine their own future. He criticized actions that deny past experiences and disturb the current cooperation atmosphere, explaining this clearly to Holguín.

Tatar underscored the firm continuation of the Turkish Cypriot side’s policy based on sovereign equality and equal international status, supported fully by Turkey and the Turkish nation over the past four and a half years.

In the context of global challenges, Tatar emphasized the growing importance of maintaining security and said the Turkish Cypriot side continues to act within dialogue and contact frameworks, working patiently and courageously for the benefit of both communities.

He highlighted that the main victim over the last 60 years has been the Turkish Cypriot community, which still faces embargoes and isolation. While the Greek Cypriot side uses the Republic of Cyprus title unilaterally to gain international privileges and economic advantages, the Turkish Cypriot side continues to endure pressures, including in tourism, higher education, and property, aimed at suppressing the community.

Tatar described recent attacks amid a new atmosphere of cooperation and joint projects as “a miscalculation aimed at forcing us to kneel.”

He reiterated that property-related issues are directly tied to the survival and future of the Turkish Cypriot people and pointed to a new ground emerging in Cyprus.

Regarding cooperation proposals such as direct trade, flights, and contacts (3D), Tatar reminded that these imply acceptance of the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereign equality and equal status and are prerequisites for starting negotiations. He noted Holguín was well aware of this but appeared less interested over time, as the Greek Cypriot side currently refuses to agree to anything.

Tatar said conditions on the island have deteriorated significantly since Holguín began drafting her report on July 1, with a series of oppressive and terrorizing measures directly affecting Turkish Cypriots.

He told Holguín the property stance causes great distress in the Turkish Cypriot community and shows insincerity, urging her to convey this to Guterres, stressing that if this does not change, healthy discussions on other matters will be impossible.

On crossing points, Tatar noted that eight million crossings occurred in 2024, half at Metehan Gate, whose capacity is unsustainable. He proposed opening Haspolat and Akinci gates to ease congestion and facilitate movement, supporting this with maps presented to Holguín. He criticized the Greek Cypriot proposal as insincere, describing it as a corridor rather than a proper crossing point.

Tatar explained that opening each gate requires at least a two-million-dollar investment, including 24-hour staffing of police, customs, and technical personnel. He affirmed openness to realistic arrangements benefiting both sides and emphasized the Turkish Cypriot side’s sincerity.

He thanked Holguín for her efforts to sustain the process and foster dialogue and cooperation culture between the two communities.

Holguín will continue her visit by traveling to Ankara to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Questions

Asked about future meetings with Holguín, Tatar said there is currently no set date and that developments will determine this.

Regarding media reports about a possible tripartite meeting with Christodoulides and Holguín, Tatar reiterated there is no need for such a meeting while property disputes remain unresolved and cause significant discomfort.

On the UN’s stance toward recent arrests by the Greek Cypriot administration, Tatar said, “The United Nations does not approve of these actions.”

He confirmed he raised this issue with the UN Secretary-General both at Geneva talks in March and New York meetings in October, noting the Secretary-General’s sensitivity on the matter.

Tatar stressed that property developments during Holguín’s visit have worsened compared to her previous position, insisting that for progress on the six cooperation initiatives agreed in Geneva and the planned informal meeting in July, the outdated mindset on property must be removed.

He described the Turkish Cypriot community as a state with its own constitution, laws, and actions, with economic expectations and a need to sustain livelihoods, supported by Turkey and local efforts resulting in increased land values. He characterized the Greek Cypriot stance on property as an “attack.”

Tatar said he requested Holguín to report the Turkish Cypriot side’s concerns to Guterres, emphasizing the need to stop the Greek Cypriot actions for a positive atmosphere to continue.

He warned that failure to do so could trigger countermeasures and heighten tensions between the two communities, all of which he conveyed clearly to Holguín.