President Tatar’s Proposal for 4+1 Extended Meeting Accepted by Guterres
President Ersin Tatar recently returned from New York and made a statement at Ercan Airport regarding his trip. He mentioned that he attended a dinner that started at 2 am and ended at 4 am, and that the Speaker of the Republic Assembly, Zorlu Töre, could open the parliament in his absence.
During his trip, President Tatar participated in a bilateral meeting upon the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres proposed an informal meeting between both leaders, which led to an informal tripartite meeting. Tatar emphasized the importance of discussing their positions at this meeting, particularly focusing on the need to confirm the Turkish Cypriot side’s sovereign equality and international status for any negotiation process to begin.
Furthermore, Tatar addressed the lack of common ground highlighted by Guterres after the meeting, pointing out the different positions held by both sides. He stressed the importance of cooperation and consultation on various issues that benefit both parties but made it clear that official negotiations should only proceed with the right conditions in place.
President Tatar also discussed economic and social relations between the two peoples, highlighting the difficulties faced under isolation and embargoes. He expressed interest in increasing trade and contacts with Southern Cyprus while acknowledging the challenges posed by ongoing tensions and arrests.
Overall, President Tatar believes that the meeting in New York was productive and could potentially pave the way for a roadmap in future discussions. He reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s commitment to dialogue while emphasizing the need for the right conditions to be established before engaging in formal negotiations. Tatar expressed optimism about the possibility of an expanded meeting involving Turkey in the upcoming period, demonstrating a willingness to continue diplomatic efforts towards resolving the Cyprus issue.
