President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: "There is no common ground for negotiations, as the opposite side does not recognize our sovereignty."
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: "There is no common ground for negotiations, as the opposite side does not recognize our sovereignty."
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar stated that there is no common platform for starting negotiations on the Cyprus issue due to the fact that the opposite side does not recognize the sovereignty of the TRNC.
Tatar took part in a closed session of the Parliament of Northern Cyprus, which lasted about 4 hours, where he informed the deputies about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.
After the meeting, Tatar made a statement to the press, where he noted that due to the sensitivity of the Cyprus problem, parliamentary meetings are held in private, but discussions are conducted with full transparency.
Tatar stated that despite more than 50 years of negotiations, no results have been achieved, and noted the lack of common ground to start the negotiation process with the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the implementation of the common probe, Maria Angela Holgin Cuellar: "We are ready for negotiations, but it seems that there is no common ground necessary to start the process. Because the opposite side does not recognize our sovereignty. There is no point in sitting at the negotiating table with those who do not recognize our sovereignty."
He expressed hope for patience and the development of relations with the Turkish states, saying: "Turkey's support has allowed the world to learn about the reality of Cyprus again."
Tatar stressed the existence of two separate peoples, two separate states and two separate democracies in Cyprus, as well as the need for the inhabitants of Cyprus to recognize the territory of the KKTS as their home: "We do not seek to to what else but the recognition of the CCTS and the life of the kiproturks under the roof of their own state in these lands in peace, tranquility and confidence."
He stressed that both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot people have the right to sovereignty based on international agreements concluded in the past.
Referring to the criticism of the closed session of parliament on social media, Tatar said: "As it was claimed that I wanted a closed session, I did not declare it. In my capacity as president, there were no demands or hints here. Such issues have always been discussed in closed meetings."