“Affirmation of equal international status and sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriots is a sine qua non for us”

 

Speaking at a joint press conference with TRNC President Tatar, President Erdoğan said: “Despite the Turkish Cypriots’ efforts, more than a half a century has been wasted due to the uncompromising and maximalist approaches of the Greek side. No one can afford to lose yet another 50 years. The affirmation of equal international status and sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriots, which are their vested rights, is a sine qua non for us.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) held a joint press conference following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations.

Stating that he is paying his first foreign visit to the TRNC after his re-election, President Erdoğan thanked President Tatar and his wife, TRNC Parliament Speaker Zorlu Töre and TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel for attending his inauguration, and added: “And today, I extend my gratitude to TRNC officials for the warm welcome shown to myself, my wife and my delegation.”

“TURKISH CYPRIOTS NEVER HAVE AND NEVER WILL BE A MINORITY”

Stating that they have discussed in detail the items on the agenda of the two countries at today’s talks, President Erdoğan said: “Undoubtedly, among these issues, the transportation of electricity from Türkiye to the TRNC via cables will be our most important step. With that, there will inshallah be no such problem as power cut from then on in the TRNC. We have reviewed the current situation concerning the Cyprus issue and the Eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish side has always displayed a constructive and result-oriented stance in the Cyprus issue. The rightful demands of the Turkish Cypriots, who are the ancient and primary element of the island, are clear and definite. The Turkish Cypriots never have and never will be a minority. Those, who turn a blind eye to these facts, continue to console themselves by dreaming to be the sole sovereigning in the country. I advise these circles to leave aside their obsessions and face the realities of the island.”

“Despite the Turkish Cypriots’ efforts, more than a half a century has been wasted due to the uncompromising and maximalist approaches of the Greek side. No one can afford to lose yet another 50 years. The affirmation of equal international status and sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriots, which are their vested rights, is a sine qua non for us,” President Erdoğan stressed.

Underscoring that the path to returning the negotiation table goes through the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, President Erdoğan noted that the realist and result-oriented vision, which was laid bare by President Tatar at the recent unofficial meeting in Geneva and which is supported by himself as well, is the manifestation of that.