Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, in a speech broadcast on Thursday by the illegal "Bayrak" television station on the 41st anniversary of the declaration of the pseudo-state, claimed that the upcoming, informal, enlarged meeting on the Cyprus issue "will not deal with the federation". The Turkish leader also referred to the pseudo-state, describing it as a "symbol of independence and sovereignty".
The celebrations for the 41st anniversary of the declaration of the pseudo-state began with 21 cannon shots.
"The chapter of the federation has been definitively closed," said Mr. Tatar in his speech to the illegal "Bayrak", adding that "without the recognition of the sovereign equality and the equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots, no new and official negotiation will begin procedure". He mentioned at the same time the t/c requirement for direct contacts, flights and trade and the promotion of these positions at the UN level.
"A just and lasting solution in Cyprus can only be achieved on the basis of the reality of the two states that already exist and the equal international status and the sovereign equality of the two sides," claimed Mr. Tatar.
He also stated that "on October 15, at the request of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and with my approval due to my respect for him, I personally conveyed our political position to the Greek Cypriot leader and told my people that the isolation imposed on him for 60 years due to the Greek Cypriot policy it should be terminated".
"I stated that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for cooperation that will benefit both peoples, two states, the island of Cyprus and our region. In this context, I also recalled the proposals we made in July 2022 and emphasized that they can be differentiated and that a culture of cooperation must be developed between the two sides on the island. Finally, in the Secretary General's statement after the informal dinner, it was clarified that there is no common ground between the parties for a new and formal process," the Turkish leader continued in his speech.
Referring to the outcome of the recent meeting with the UN Secretary General, Mr. Tatar claimed that an extended meeting was agreed to discuss steps for the future of Cyprus. According to Mr. Tatar, “it is clear that this meeting will not deal with the federation or what is being discussed in Crans Montana in any way. The extended meeting will reveal the intentions of the parties regarding the future of the island."
Stating that the Turkish side "will never give up independence, sovereignty, statehood and the effective and de facto guarantor of motherland Turkey," Mr. Tatar claimed that "it will not jeopardize the country's future , of the people and the new generations and that it will never allow a return to the dark days of the pre-1974 period."
Mr. Tatar said that “it is now very clear that as the Turkish Cypriot side we will not invest in failure. Our future cannot be handed over to the consent of the Greek Cypriots, this era is over." He added that they will not take any action "to normalize the unacceptable situation on the island and the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people for 60 years".
He also made extensive reference to the events of 1963-74, claiming that "we have come this far with great pains". He claimed that "103 Turkish Cypriot villages were destroyed and over 30.000 Turkish Cypriots became refugees, confined to ghettos representing just 3% of the island".
He also referred to the recent acquisition of observer status in the Organization of Turkish States, to the relations of the Turkish side with the Turkish states and the Muslim world, saying that "the Turkish Cypriot people are an integral part of the Turkish world". He expressed gratitude to Turkish President Erdogan for his support, stressing that the Turkish side "is ready to develop relations with Turkish states in all fields."
Mr Tatar concluded by saying that the aim is to develop the pseudo-state in sectors such as "tourism, higher education, IT, light industry, construction and real estate, as well as industrial agriculture and animal husbandry", always in close cooperation with Turkey.
"The Turkish Cypriot people are determined to protect their rights in the seas surrounding the island of Cyprus. The agreements made with motherland Turkey in this direction are vital. Blue Homeland is a very important strategic move that strengthens our ties with the Motherland, protects national interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and defends our rights and laws," Mr. Tatar added.
Source: KYPE
