Tatar reiterates need for sovereign equality in Guterres meeting (updated)
A meeting between UN Secretary-General and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Friday finished after an hour, following the latter’s comments that only a state solution can be the solution to the Cyprus problem.
The meeting was held at the UN headquarters in New York, after which Tatar made statements to the press.
During his statements, Tatar said that he emphasised to Guterres that “unfair embargoes” on Turkish Cypriots should be lifted.
Tatar also said that it was not possible for Cyprus talks to start from where they left off in Crans Montana in 2017. He also said that his insisted to Guterres there needs to be sovereign equality for Turkish Cypriots and recognition to start any Cyprus talks.
Earlier, Tatar made further statements to the press earlier to Anadolu agency, saying provocatively that “the rules of the game in Cyprus must be changed”.
He claimed that it is not realistic to start negotiations before the equal international status of Turkish Cypriots is confirmed, stating defiantly that it is “accepted” by all that there are two peoples and two separate authorities in Cyprus.
Asked about some ideas Guterres had presented to President Nikos Christodoulides, which the president had accepted, Tatar said “we will see” avoiding giving a clear answer, if he accepts them.
He added that they will see about the ideas, Guterres’ personal envoy Maria Holguin returns to Cyprus in May.
Earlier, Christodoulides said: “Mr Tatar’s statements do not help to create the desired climate.”
Christodoulides added that he will not follow Tatar’s tactics and reiterated that the talks will not be resumed through public statements.
“I believe in the Secretary General, I know what he has in mind, let us wait to see the results of this meeting and then we will comment. What I can express is the wish, the hope that something positive will emerge towards the resumption of talks,” he said.