President Ersin Tatar receives Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Türkiye, Hulusi Akar
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President Ersin Tatar has received a delegation from the National Defence Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) headed by its Chairman, Hulusi Akar.
Welcoming Mr. Akar, who is also former Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Türkiye and his delegation to the TRNC, President Tatar referred to the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.
President Tatar stated that the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, has paid a visit to the Island of Cyprus. He said he had explained to Ms. Holguin the realities in Cyprus and his two State position as a basis for a settlement on the Island, based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two Sides.
President Tatar said: “I have explained to Ms. Holguin that the Greek Cypriot Side has rejected at least 15 federal-based plans over the past half-a-century. Negotiations for a federal settlement have been tried, failed and exhausted. It is now the time to think outside the federal box and to look forward to settling this dispute based on the realities of the Island, where the Turkish Cypriot People and Greek Cypriot People can live side-by-side as good neighbours in a cooperative relationship.”
Stating that the two State position is “fully supported by the Republic of Türkiye,” President Tatar stated that he had also told Ms. Holguin that he has put forward the new position for a settlement for the past three years that is based on the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot Side – namely their sovereign equality and equal international status with the support of Türkiye.
“The Turkish Cypriot People are not alone, and that Türkiye stands in solidarity with us,” President Tatar stressed. “The Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 as a partnership state between the Turkish Cypriot Side and Greek Cypriot Sides as co-founders. The Turkish Cypriot People have equal inherent rights, that have been registered with the signing of international treaties, and Türkiye is one of the guarantor powers. Archbishop Makarios himself confessed that the Greek Cypriot Side’s sole aim was to use these agreements as a springboard for the unification of Cyprus to Greece. Three years later in December 1963, the Turkish Cypriot People were expelled from the state apparatus of the republic by force of arms, and island-wide attacks were started against our people from 1963 that lasted until 1974.”
President Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot People have been governing themselves effectively as a State since 1963. He said the Greek Junta had staged a coup d’etat on July 15, 1974, and that Greece had invaded Cyprus, leaving Türkiye no choice but to undertake the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974, to stop the atrocities and bloodshed.
President Tatar stated that the Greek Cypriot Side have repeatedly rejected federal-based plans for more than half-a-century, the last being the rejection of the UN Comprehensive Settlement [Annan] Plan of 2004, and the collapse of the process in Crans-Montana in 2017. “The Greek Cypriot Side do not want to share power and prosperity with the Turkish Cypriot Side on the basis of equality as the state they have usurped and turned into a Greek Cypriot Administration,” he added.
Stating that Türkiye has constructed an 80km long undersea pipeline project that is transporting 75 million m3 of fresh water per annum to the TRNC, the President explained that the electricity undersea cable project is now being developed.
“We are putting forward a position that is sincere and based on good faith for a settlement in Cyprus,” President Tatar said. “We will continue to put forward constructive proposals that not only protects the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot People, but what will also be of benefit to our Greek Cypriot neighbours as well,” he said.
The President said that the “Turkish Cypriot People will be annihilated if we become an EU member under a single roof that is the basis of an agreement whilst Türkiye is also excluded and a non-member state of the bloc”.
“This is why we are putting forward the position that is in our national interests for a settlement that is based on sovereign equality, i.e. the cooperative relationship of the two States. This agreement must continue the guarantor rights of Türkiye and the existence of Turkish forces that are a deterrent and ensures peace and security. It is out of the question for us to take any step back from this position,” President Tatar said.
Underlining the “geostrategic importance” of the country,” President Tatar stated that the “TRNC is a window for the Turkic world into the Mediterranean”.
President Tatar thanked Mr. Akar and his delegation for their visit to the country and extended his warm regards to President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Mr. Akar stated that he is continuing a long-standing tradition in Türkiye of paying the first visit abroad to the TRNC and to Azerbaijan, after entering into a new position, adding: “I extend the warm greetings of President Erdoğan. The Cyprus issue is indeed a national cause. Türkiye will continue to stand in full solidarity and support to the Turkish Cypriot People to further their prosperity and provide security. I am very happy to see the continuing developments in the TRNC.”