There are major differences between the two sides on the island and “we shouldn’t be dragged into new adventures”, Prime Minister Ersin Tatar has said..
Speaking on a televised programme on BRT, Tatar said that the Guterres framework did not satisfy the National Unity Party (UBP) or meet the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Noting that to forcibly restart the Cyprus negotiations from where they were left off would be wrong; Tatar said that the Greek Cypriot side does not accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.
“We must discuss the terms from the very beginning. Guarantees are something we give great value too. It has vital importance for us. It’s the red line of the Turkish Cypriot people”, said Prime Minister Tatar.
Touching on the issue of territory, the PM said that they had some reservations on this issue as there was no financial source that adequately funded the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ needs and added that this would lead to the collapse of the Turkish Cypriot economy.
Noting that political equality was not the only problem in the Cyprus issue, Tatar said that the terms of reference point currently reached is even further behind the point reached at Crans-Montana in 2017.
Explaining that there was a need for alternative solutions to come onto the agenda, he gave Kosovo as an example of this.
Noting that there were similar conditions in Cyprus, Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot people’s interests needed to be determined and that steps should be taken towards this end.
“The issue of two separate states under the EU roof should also be brought to the table. People are aware that time is being wasted and that one last try is being attempted. In Crans–Montana they had also said that it was their last chance. We need to see what the people want. The people don’t think that anything will come from these new meetings”, said Tatar.
He added that even if there is confusion about a two-state solution, this was an issue that needed to be looked into and a policy needed to be followed.
“The issue regarding a velvet divorce can also be discussed”, said Tatar.
Noting that Britain and Greece had mentioned that they could give up on their guarantees over Cyprus and that Turkey should also follow suit, Prime Minister Tatar criticized these statements and emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people will never give up on Turkey’s guarantees and added that this is a red line for Turkish Cypriots.
Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot people will forever continue to exist on these lands under their own state roof.
BRT
