Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday said that no solution should be expected in the Cyprus problem in the near future.
Speaking to the media in the north, he said that the Turkish Cypriot side is now focusing on resolving issues related to confidence building measures (CBMs), as requested by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
Tatar added that the opening of new crossing points as one of the steps that could ease the lives of people on the island.
According to reports from Turkish Cypriot media, Tatar said that Guterres had asked for amnesty for Turkish-Israeli businessman Simon Aykut, who is currently detained for exploiting Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas. Tatar said that President Nikos Christodoulides “froze” when he heard Guterres’ request.
Tatar also referred to the failed Crans-Montana conference in 2017, which aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem, adding that Guterres expressed his disappointment over the lack of a resolution at the time.
The Turkish Cypriot leader claimed Guterres told him that former President Nicos Anastasiades was responsible for the collapsed talks in Crans-Montana.
Tatar further alleged that Christodoulides frequently uses Cyprus’ EU membership as a negotiating tool and insists that the EU should be involved in any talks.
“I told Christodoulides that our people see us as equal leaders here, so why are you blocking me on the international stage?” Tatar said, claiming that the president offered to arrange meetings for him in Brussels, which he dismissed.
“The EU is trying to make two sides agree in Cyprus, so you need to see us [as equals]. But the EU’s intention is to make us subordinates of the Greek Cypriot side,” he said.
“The Greek Cypriot side claims to defend the Republic but ignore the Turkish founding presence. What are we supposed to negotiate? Territory, property, our relationship with our motherland, which means our security. This is why we want Turkey’s guarantees on the table.”
On another matter, Tatar said he expects positive responses from countries like Azerbaijan and Pakistan to Turkish President Erdogan’s call for recognition of the breakaway state.
He criticised Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhurman, accusing him of using federalism with political equality for electoral gain.
Tatar also rejected Christodoulides’ proposals of a ‘truth commission’ and a joint committee for youth, claiming they would divide the Turkish Cypriots.
He finally highlighted the issue of children from mixed marriages with Turkish settlers being denied EU passports, calling it a violation of human rights.
