The leader of the Turkish Cypriots, Ersin Tatar, met on Christmas Day with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. The Vice President of Turkey, Cevdet Yilmaz, also attended the meeting.
Mr. Yilmaz and Mr. Tatar also had a private meeting at the Turkish Presidential Palace.
According to the Turkish public broadcaster "TRT Haber" and the illegal "Bayrak", in a joint press conference, Mr. Yilmaz expressed Turkey's satisfaction for the unity and cooperation with the Turkish Cypriots. "At our meeting with Mr. Tatars, we discussed the strong cooperation we have established between our countries in all spheres of life. Turkey has so far mobilized every means for the free development, prosperity and well-being of the Turkish Cypriots. We will continue to do it in the same way", said Mr. Gilmaz.
"The capital of the federation is closed"
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Cevdet Yilmaz referred to the "need" to advance the steps for a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem. "The struggle of the Turkish Cypriots for justice, which has lasted more than half a century, draws strength from our strong solidarity and our belief in a just, permanent and sustainable solution, in line with the realities of the island. The reality of Cyprus is two states and two communities. It will not be possible to solve the Cyprus problem with an approach that is far from these realities. The decades without a solution that we have left behind us are the greatest proof of this reality. As we have stated in the past, the chapter of the federation has been closed," said the Turkish Vice President.
Referring to the last Christodoulidis-Tatar meeting with the UN Secretary General, Mr. Yilmaz noted that "the Secretary General of the United Nations confirmed for the first time officially, after the meeting, that there is no common ground between the two leaders on the Cyprus issue. We believe that we should act according to this reality in the talks on the Cyprus issue in the future", he pointed out.
Mr. Yilmaz went on to say: "The sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot 'people', in other words the recognition of their inherent rights by the international community, and the possibility of Turkish Cypriots sitting at the table as truly equals, will continue to be the our main policy and priority. We will unceasingly continue our support for the just struggle of the Turkish Cypriots. In this context, we will continue to support the efforts of the 'tdvc' for its integration with the world and we will do everything possible for the security and well-being of the Turkish Cypriots", he said.
Mr. Yilmaz also stated that he would discuss with Mr. Tatar issues of economic and financial cooperation between Turkey and and the occupied countries. "Our fundamental vision is a secure and more developed 'tdvk'," said Mr. Yilmaz, adding that they continue joint efforts in many areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, industry, education, health and transport.
Mr. Yilmaz said that the construction of the "parliament" and the "presidential complex" in the occupied territories will be completed in January.
Statements by Ersin Tatar
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Ersin Tatar, in a statement, expressed his condolences for the loss of life in the helicopter crash in Mugla and the explosion at an ammunition depot in Balikesir, Turkey. He also expressed his regret over the plane crash in Kazakhstan.
Mr. Tatar said that the supply of water from Turkey has added great value and increased the potential of agriculture in the occupied territories. The Turkish Cypriot leader noted that potential and capacity are growing in tourism, higher education, as well as in the service and industry sectors.
He said that the pandemic and the February 6 earthquake caused financial difficulties, while the war in Ukraine increased costs and caused a financial crisis, but Turkey managed the process well and the difficulties began to be overcome.
Pointing out that Turkey's full support for the "new policy" on the Cyprus issue and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speeches at the UN General Assembly strengthened the ground for this policy, Mr. Tatar said the UN announcement after the informal lunch in New York that "there is no common ground to start the negotiation process" and the mention of the two sides' different positions are a diplomatic gain for the Turkish side.
Referring to the proposal to open a crossing point in the area of Mias Milia, Mr. Tatar stressed that it would help increase trade between the "two peoples", as he put it, and reduce congestion at the Agios Dometios roadblock, as part of the Green Line regulation.
Mr. Tatar said that next to the "presidential complex" and the "parliament" in the area of Agios Dometios, a 400-acre park has been created, which will provide "citizens" with places for walking, cycling and social activities. He stated that the increase in traffic in the area of occupied Agios Dometios makes the opening of the Mias Milia roadblock important.
Mr. Tatar also said that he has asked President Nikos Christodoulidis to clarify his position on the barricade issue. He also said that President Christodoulidis demands the operation of new barricades in Kokkina and Athianou. According to Mr. Tatar, this request from the right side is "unacceptable", and comes with a big cost.
Mr. Tatar also referred to "the importance of consultations between the 'two countries' in order to hear and accept the policy of the Turkish Cypriots in the world". He noted that after joining the Organization of Turkish States as an observer, the "tdvk" began to participate in the meetings with its "flag" and "identity".
Referring to Syria, Mr. Tatar emphasized the importance of Turkey's active presence in the region and added that agreements on maritime areas with Syria will have a positive impact on the "tdvk", increasing its geopolitical value.
Mr. Tatar said that “a strong Turkey adds strength to us. Turkey is a big country. When considering the geopolitical and geostrategic developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, politics in the Blue Homeland is very important. Together we evaluate the Motherland, the 'Little Country', the Blue Country and the Heavenly Country. The status and value of our state is increasing. This situation increases the welfare that the 'state' will offer to its 'people'. Investments are increasing with economic and financial cooperation protocols, which gives us hope. The numbers before the pandemic were exceeded. The number of passengers and tourists entering the 'country' has increased," he said.
Source: KYPE
