During a recent informal dinner with South Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President Ersin Tatar raised the issue of businessman Simon Aykut, who is currently imprisoned in South Cyprus. Tatar revealed that the UN Secretary-General suggested a pardon for Aykut, leaving President Christodoulides speechless, Kibris Postasi reported.
Tatar also reiterated his stance on formal negotiations, stating that Turkish Cypriots will not return to the table unless their equal sovereign rights are acknowledged. He emphasised that the ongoing Cyprus issue, now 61 years old, cannot be resolved without recognising Turkish Cypriot sovereignty. Referring to a recent meeting with Guterres and Christodoulides in New York, Tatar noted that the dinner offered no substance, merely symbolic discussions, with Guterres suggesting the focus should be on building trust between communities rather than seeking immediate solutions.
Speaking to the media in New York, Tatar shared insights from the informal talks, where Guterres acknowledged there was no solid basis for resuming formal negotiations. However, the UN chief encouraged efforts to ease tensions and improve daily life, including opening more crossing points between the two sides. Tatar, however, remains pessimistic, expressing doubts about any resolution in Cyprus happening soon, especially given the other global crises Guterres faces.
During the dinner, Guterres suggested holding future negotiations in a 4+1 format, involving the UN, the two Cypriot communities, Turkey, and Greece. However, Tatar criticised Christodoulides for pushing for the UK’s involvement, stating that Turkish Cypriots will not become a minority within the Republic of Cyprus. He also reiterated that Turkish Cypriots would not abandon Turkey’s guarantor role in any settlement.
Tatar also criticised Christodoulides’ frequent references to the Republic of Cyprus’s EU membership and his insistence on including the EU in any future negotiations. He argued that the EU’s refusal to recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) shows their true intent is to subjugate Turkish Cypriots under Greek Cypriot authority. Tatar said, “They want to take us back to pre-1960 conditions, but we won’t accept that. We demand recognition of our sovereign equality”.
On Simon Aykut’s imprisonment, Tatar condemned the Greek Cypriot authorities for detaining a 74-year-old man on political grounds, calling it inhumane. While Christodoulides claimed he could not interfere with the judiciary, Guterres proposed a pardon, leaving Christodoulides unable to respond further.
Tatar concluded by affirming the importance of Turkey’s role as a guarantor, dismissing any suggestion that the EU could replace Turkey’s position in future talks.
