Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar pointed to the importance of seeking whether there is common ground before any official Cyprus talks begin. Tatar emphasized that unless common ground is found, no significant development on the Cyprus issue is expected. Tatar noted that the new policy, which has been continuing for the past two and a half years for sovereign equality and equal international status is the Turkish side’s sina qu non. There is no point in ignoring the realities and dragging the Turkish Cypriot people back for talks that have been tried over and over. Pointing to the Greek Cypriot side’s request to continue from where they left off in Crans Montana, Tatar said that it was not possible to start a process that would mean zero troops and zero guarantees on the island.
Tatar spoke to the press following his meeting with Miroslav Jenca, the Deputy Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the United Nations Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Division
Tatar said that the target of Jenca’s visit was to receive information on the situation in Cyprus before the General Assembly in New York in September. Unfortunately, Jenca’s visit coincided with the incidents in Pile, Tatar said adding that they also spoke on the matter and that he had conveyed that the roadwork was carried out for a humanitarian purpose.
Noting that unlike in South Cyprus, where roads, constructions, universities, shopping centres, and similar structures are constructed with no interference, Tatar said that around 300 military sites were built in areas close to the Buffer Zone and 12 kilometres of wire fence were erected.
Responding to a question on the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides’ 14-point package to be proposed to the Turkish Cypriots, Tatar said “The package is full of traps and is an attempt to draw our people into the Republic of Cyprus for personal interests… It is not sincere.”
Regarding the efforts to open the Haspolat Gate, Tatar questioned, “Since the Metehan Gate is so busy, why can’t we open the Haspolat Gate for commercial vehicles?”
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