Tatar Criticizes Christodoulides Over Stance on New Crossing Points Ahead of New York Meeting

Tatar highlighted recent difficulties at the Metehan crossing, which originated from the Greek Cypriot side, as evidence that the insistence on opening the Haspolat crossing is justified.

Tatar said he will raise the issue of opening new crossing points at Haspolat and Akıncılar during the upcoming talks.

Recalling his efforts over the past four and a half years to ease vehicle traffic by opening the Haspolat crossing, Tatar said recent traffic problems had once again underscored the need for new crossings.

He emphasized that he has consistently voiced his concerns about the crossings on every platform and brought up the matter in Geneva, but said Christodoulides has failed to adopt a constructive approach since March.

Tatar noted that the Turkish Cypriot side has always been constructive. He pointed out that most of the current nine crossing points primarily serve the Greek Cypriot side. For instance, the Yeşilırmak and Bostancı crossings are almost exclusively used by Greek Cypriots, with Turkish Cypriot usage below 10%. Meanwhile, 65% of vehicle crossings occur at Metehan, where serious congestion occurs.

Despite the Turkish Cypriot side widening the road at Metehan, Tatar said the Greek Cypriot side has not taken similar steps and has refused to increase staff or widen roads at their crossings.

He revealed that in 2024, eight million crossing procedures were recorded, roughly split evenly between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. Tatar added that even Greek Cypriots are frustrated with the congestion.

Tatar stressed that opening the Haspolat and Akıncılar crossings would significantly ease traffic at Metehan and increase trade under the Green Line Regulation, as trucks would be able to use the new crossings, alleviating pressure on Metehan.

He recalled raising this issue at a previous meeting in New York attended by ministers from Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Despite his proposals to Christodoulides to open Haspolat and Akıncılar, Christodoulides did not mention these crossings at the Geneva talks, where he insisted on other locations.

Tatar said he discussed the matter with UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, noting that the Greek Cypriot side still insists on opening a “South-to-South corridor,” which he finds unacceptable.

“We Value the New York Meeting”

Tatar described the upcoming meeting as important, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side views all talks with a spirit of cooperation between two states. However, he said that formal negotiations can only resume if common ground is reached.

He stressed the importance of maintaining constructive relations between the two sides and recalled efforts since he became president to keep technical committees working, despite occasional difficulties from the Greek Cypriot side, which refuses to recognize Turkish Cypriot authorities.

Tatar said that recognizing Turkish Cypriot authorities would imply raising their status, which the Greek Cypriot side resists. Nonetheless, some cooperation has been achieved on committees dealing with earthquake response and youth.

He noted that solar energy projects in the buffer zone are stalled because the Greek Cypriot side demands all energy produced be given to them first, with only a share passed on to the Turkish Cypriots—a proposal Tatar called unacceptable. He insisted that everyone should receive their share directly from the buffer zone.

Tatar said the root of the conflict is the Greek Cypriot view of themselves as sole owners of the Republic of Cyprus and of Turkish Cypriots as a mere community.

“We Will Continue Two-State Politics”

Tatar reaffirmed his commitment to two-state politics, supported by Turkey, insisting that official negotiations cannot resume without recognition of sovereign equality and equal international status.

He outlined the “3-D” demands: direct flights, direct trade, and direct contacts, alongside lifting isolation—initiatives the UN has tried to implement but were blocked by the Greek Cypriot side.

He quoted Holguin as confirming that without common ground, resumption of federal talks is impossible, and said the New York meeting will focus on cooperation. If other issues arise, they will be worked on afterward.

Tatar noted that regional conflicts and British bases affect the balance of power, enhancing the importance and status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

He insisted that although unrecognized, the TRNC exists as a state under law and institutions.

Tatar highlighted that universities in Northern Cyprus educate students from 144 countries and stressed the presence of a functioning economy, institutions, and constitution.

He said the people have their own will, rights, and laws, referring to the 1960 agreements and the Annan Plan as legal documents granting Turkish Cypriots a referendum right.

“Greek Cypriot Property Practices Are Unlawful Attacks”

Tatar condemned Greek Cypriot actions concerning property as “provocations” and “unarmed attacks” without legal basis. He urged the Greek Cypriots to desist, emphasizing that the Immovable Property Commission, aligned with European Court of Human Rights decisions, holds authority.

He criticized the Greek Cypriot authorities for arresting good-faith investors and TRNC citizens, calling it unacceptable and promising to raise the issue at the New York meeting.

Tatar said he would tell the UN Secretary-General that a good atmosphere, first established in 2017, is now being undermined by such arrests.

He rejected the Greek Cypriot side’s treatment of Turkish Cypriots as a community rather than a political equal and recalled former President Mehmet Ali Talat’s comment about the real reason Anastasiadis collapsed the Crans Montana talks: pressure from Netanyahu questioning the political status of Turkish Cypriots.

“I Condemn the Attack on Fidias and Partner”

Lastly, Tatar addressed recent attacks on European Parliament Greek Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou and his partner following an interview with Tatar.

He praised Fidias for courageously expressing his views and condemned those who reacted violently, questioning why Turkish Cypriots should be denied a voice.

Tatar extended his well wishes to Panayiotou and his partner and thanked him for the interview.