TR

President Ersin Tatar chairs the meeting of the Council of Ministers  

“Greek Cypriot Side’s proposals that aims to spread their sovereignty over the TRNC cannot be accepted.”

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President Ersin Tatar chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers where he briefed them the latest developments with regards to the Cyprus issue.

The President, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, explained that he was holding consultations prior to his meeting with the UN Secretary General in New York later this month. Stating that he will also be addressing Parliamentarians in the Republic’s Assembly on September 8 and brief MPs on the Cyprus issue, the President said he and members of the negotiating team will be travelling to the US in good faith, to put forward the constructive position of the Turkish Cypriot Side towards reaching sustainable peace and stability in the island of Cyprus and the region.

Referring to the six Cooperation Proposals across different areas that he conveyed to the Greek Cypriot Side via the UN Secretary General last July which aims to promote interaction and trust between the two Sides, President Tatar stated that they will not allow the Greek Cypriot Side to spread their sovereignty into the TRNC through so called ‘Confidence Building Measures’.

Stating that UN resolutions that were taken a long time ago are outdated, the President stated that it is time to take a fresh approach and open a new page with regards to reaching a settlement which takes into consideration the failures of the past. “It is time to think outside the box and to acknowledge the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot People, which is our inherent right, as the basis of negotiations.  This is a policy that is fully supported by the Republic of Türkiye.  The Greek Cypriot Side have no incentive or overarching interest to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriot Side and have sought to perpetuate the status quo,” the President said.

The President added that negotiations on a federal basis “is no longer possible”, adding that “the Turkish Cypriot Side will not accept so-called ‘confidence building proposals’ made by the Greek Cypriot Side, which is only aimed at spreading their sovereignty into the North, and which is aimed at perpetuating the status quo.

President Tatar underlined that “our policies take into consideration the new balances in the region which are of significant importance to the Turkish Cypriot Side”.

President Tatar: “The quality of service will increase with the strengthening of the administrative structures of local governments” 

Stating that he shared with the ministers his evaluations about the newly enacted legislation which has merged municipalities across the island with the primary purpose of making them more efficient in providing services to the people as well as making them feasible, President Tatar said: “I congratulated the Prime Minister and all ministers at having passed this law. I also underlined the importance of protecting the rights regarding personnel and enforcing collective labour agreements.”

Expressing his belief that the “quality and efficiency of service will be increased” with the strengthening of administrative structures of local governments, President Tatar stated that he conveyed his views on “the great reform which has come about through great political will,” and wishes the merging of municipalities law to yield long-term benefits to the country.   

Noting that he also shared his views on electricity authority KIB-TEK, President Tatar said that the fuel tender should be finalised, and that a road map should be planned. “There is a need to act in the best interests of the country.  The process needs to be conducted meticulously and with transparency.”   

Underlining his regret that the TRNC youth could not attend the Islamic Solidarity Games, President Tatar stated that prior to his visit to Konya, Türkiye – where the Games were held -- he had also made contacts during his visit to Ankara. 

“We have evaluated how our young people can participate in these competitions in the future, and we are undertaking the appropriate initiatives. We will continue these efforts in unity and solidarity with the Republic of Türkiye in order to overcome these problems and injustices” he said.

The President stated that he shared with the Council of Ministers the details of his tete-a-tete meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. 


Incident involving UNFICYP personnel: “The incident was immediately discussed with the UN and an investigation has been initiated on this matter” 


President Tatar also stated that he had shared information about an incident involving two UN Peacekeeping (UNFICYP) soldiers at the Glapsides beach in Gazimağusa, and said that they immediately contacted the UN to carry out the necessary investigation into the matter in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot authorities.  The President said it was, however, “unacceptable” for UNFICYP staff to just “abandon” the scene following the incident.

Pointing out that the government is working in the best interests and future of the people under difficult conditions, President Tatar expressed his support for the government and said that the support given to the government will continue on the Cyprus issue, economy and all other issues.