Tatar meets with Chairman and Council Members of Turkish Cypriot Associations during London visit
President Ersin Tatar met with the chairman and members of the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations during his visit to London. The meeting took place within the framework of President Tatar’s London contacts.
In a statement released by the Presidency, President Tatar expressed his gratitude to the council for organizing the Cyprus Turkish Culture Festival, which received a great response from the community. He also thanked everyone who showed interest in the festival. President Tatar emphasized the importance of such events in promoting unity and solidarity among the Turkish Cypriots and expressed his hope for the continuation of activities that bring the community together.
During the meeting, President of the Cyprus Turkish Associations Council, Kenan Nafi, and President of the Turkish Cypriots Abroad Committee, Leyla Kemal, expressed their appreciation for being invited to the festival, and President Tatar reciprocated with heartfelt words. He recognized the longing of Turkish Cypriots living in the UK for their homeland and acknowledged the significant contributions they have made to the development of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
President Tatar highlighted the importance of preserving language, culture, and national values among younger generations and encouraged participation in Turkish schools in England. He expressed his happiness with the efforts of teachers appointed by the TRNC governments in promoting education.
Addressing the Cyprus issue, President Tatar emphasized the need for a negotiation process based on the acceptance of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots. He called on the guarantor country, England, to listen to the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots and play a leading role in lifting the embargoes that have been imposed on the community for years.
President Tatar also expressed his desire to establish direct flights between the UK and TRNC and facilitate direct trade between the two countries. He urged the UK to be sensitive to the injustices faced by the Turkish Cypriots, especially in the aftermath of Brexit, and to consider the demands of the community for a more equitable solution.
President Tatar concluded by stating that accepting the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two states is the most realistic approach for the benefit of Cyprus and the region. He emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot side no longer considers the failed and exhausted grounds for negotiations as valid, and a new perspective is needed to achieve a fair and lasting resolution.
