President Ersin Tatar, has insisted that these direct trade, flights, and contacts — referred to as the “3-D” formula — are a precondition for any official negotiation process. He stressed that without these concessions, a return to the negotiation table would not be possible. However, Tatar’s stance has been criticised as an attempt to undermine the process.
Former Turkish Cypriot president and experts, including Mehmet Ali Talat and Özdil Nami, believe that this approach is unrealistic and insufficient to resolve the long-standing Cyprus issue. Talat pointed out that direct trade is a matter for the EU, while direct flights are tied to international law, both of which are beyond Turkish Cypriot control. [However, the Greek Cypriot government, as the internationally recognised government of Cyprus, holds significant influence over decisions regarding air traffic. If they were to remove their opposition, countries or international aviation bodies could reconsider policies that currently restrict direct flights to North Cyprus. The objections of the Republic of Cyprus are a key barrier, but resolving this diplomatically could change the current stance of the international community. Ed.]. He also noted that direct contacts already occur in various forms. Talat criticised current Turkish Cypriot policies as unsustainable and damaging to their international reputation.
Nami, a former chief negotiator, added that the 3-D formula wouldn’t resolve the issue, as the Greek Cypriot side views such demands as indirect recognition of North Cyprus. Nami called for a more concrete, structured process. Political scientist Ahmet Sözen and academic Ipek Borman echoed these concerns, noting that without goodwill from both sides, real progress in negotiations is unlikely.
