Tatar “ Holguin had failed to achieve her mission”

Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar said that so far Holguin, whose mandate was to seek common ground between the two sides, had failed to achieve her mission.

“I hope that the report she will be writing will be balanced and well reflective of the realities. I know she has met with civil society and other groups who may have differing views but let it not be forgotten I am here as an elected president,” he said, speaking to reporters after meeting with the United Nations Secretary- General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin for a second meeting this week.

In what was an extremely short meeting, the UNSG’s personal envoy left the presidential palace on Monday without speaking to the press following her meeting with Tatar which lasted just short of half an hour.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Tatar thanked the UN envoy for her efforts but repeated his remarks from last week that there would be no new talks until the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot side is accepted.

Tatar said that he had told Holguin on several occasions that a new process could be initiated if steps were to be taken that would ease the isolation of Turkish Cypriots such as direct flights or direct trade.

“Unfortunately, Ms Holguin said that this was not possible which is why we told her that it was out of the question to launch official negotiations under these circumstances,” he said.

( Source: BRT)