Tatar: Greek Cypriot Public Concerned by Administration’s Dangerous Moves

Speaking to Anadolu Agency ahead of his scheduled meeting on Friday in New York with Hristodulidis under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Tatar stressed that all discussions on Cyprus at the UN level are conducted in consultation with Turkey.

He said that the insistence on a “federation-based” settlement model is nothing more than an attempt by the Greek Cypriot side to remove Turkish troops from the island and to end Turkey’s guarantor status.

Tatar underlined that there is no political alternative other than a two-state solution for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. “There is no alternative policy. There is the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people, their sovereign rights, and their comprehensive relations with Turkey. Any approach that excludes Turkey, forces us into a partnership with the Greek Cypriots, and seeks to turn the island into a Hellenic island will be rejected,” he said.

He reiterated that no formal negotiations could begin until the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people is accepted. “Direct flights, direct trade, and direct contact must be established first. Only then can we begin negotiations. If the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, as mentioned by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the UN General Assembly, is lifted, we can sit at the table,” Tatar said.

He added that he would once again convey his views and political stance to Guterres and emphasized that while he is always in favor of dialogue, he will never abandon the two-state solution model on Cyprus.

Commenting on the Greek Cypriot Administration’s recent purchase of an air defense system from Israel, Tatar said Hristodulidis has overstepped in his bid to appear more influential internationally. “Even the Greek Cypriot public is disturbed by the dangerous game played by the Greek Cypriot Administration. They have made the South a much more dangerous region. As this dangerous process continues, I believe that the federation-based process should be completely taken off the agenda,” he said.