TRNC President Tatar's 'Greek side's steps increase tension' outburst: The property issue

TRNC President Ersin Tatar made statements following his meeting with GCA leader Nikos Christodoulides in the buffer zone located in Ledra, in the capital Nicosia.

In his statement at the TRNC Presidential Complex, President Tatar stated that realities must be accepted and mutual respect must be the basis, expressing that they are ready to cooperate on issues that will be to the benefit of both states and both peoples.

Stating that "joint work can be carried out on technical issues such as water, energy, mine clearance, and the restoration of cemeteries through the cooperation of the two states," Tatar noted that it is a prerequisite for the parties to be accepted as having equal status in order to achieve progress on all issues.

"THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE STATES IN CYPRUS"

Tatar emphasized that the Greek leader constantly used the phrase "Reunited Cyprus" in his speech during the meeting and did not even mention a federation, stating that this approach does not align with the realities. President Ersin Tatar said, "For 60 years, there have been two separate peoples, two separate authorities, two separate democracies, and two separate states in Cyprus. It is not possible for a healthy process to move forward without taking these realities into account."

"WILL CONTRIBUTE TO YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY"

President Tatar stated that they attended the first meeting of the "Youth Committee," established as the 13th Technical Committee, and emphasized that the inclusion of 16 Turkish Cypriot and 16 Greek Cypriot youths in the committee, with an equal number of men and women, is meaningful in terms of gender equality. Tatar expressed that the dialogue to be established between the youth will contribute to them thinking in a solution-oriented manner and taking on responsibility in the future. Stating that he conveyed the realities in Cyprus in his address to the youth, Tatar noted that he approved the establishment of this committee at the meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, last March, and that the involvement of youth in the process should be encouraged.

"THE GREEK SIDE'S STEPS INCREASE TENSION"

President Tatar emphasized that one of the most important topics brought up during the meeting was the property issue. Referring to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' statement that "a new atmosphere has been created," President Tatar said that the hope that some concrete steps could be taken with the cooperation of the two sides in this positive climate is being overshadowed by the Greek side's aggressive stance on the property issue. Tatar stated that he clearly expressed this situation to Greek leader Christodoulides at the morning meeting. Asking why property issues that had been resolved through the Immovable Property Commission after the Annan Plan are being brought back to the agenda years later, President Tatar said, "The Greek side's steps regarding the property issue are increasing tension."

Expressing that it is unacceptable for people who make investments through completely legal means within the framework of the TRNC's own laws to be targeted, and even for some individuals to be arrested in Southern Cyprus, Tatar emphasized that these attempts will dynamite the atmosphere that has just begun to form between the two sides. Noting that he clearly conveyed this situation to UN Special Representative for Cyprus Colin Stewart, Tatar stated that he requested this grievance be urgently and seriously conveyed to New York, to the attention of the UN Secretary-General. President Tatar said, "Since a new atmosphere is being created, the expectation on such sensitive issues is for tension to be reduced. However, what is happening is the exact opposite."

"THE TURKISH SIDE'S PROPOSAL IS CLEAR"

Tatar stated that the Turkish side's proposal regarding border crossings is for the opening of the Haspolat and Akıncılar-Limya crossings, noting that the density at the Metehan crossing creates serious traffic, especially in the morning and evening hours, and that new crossings would alleviate this burden. Stating that the Greek side proposed a corridor that would allow passage "from south to south" from Erenköy or Kiracıköy, President Tatar said, "This proposal is not acceptable to us in terms of both security and other aspects."

President Tatar stated that the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Maria Holguin will contribute to the process in order to prepare the ground for the meeting to be held in July, and that she is expected to visit the island this month. Tatar reiterated that Holguin will hold contacts with the guarantor countries and relevant parties, and that as the Turkish Cypriot side, they are in favor of dialogue, contact, and mutual respect on issues that will be to the benefit of both sides.

KIB-TEK CONDITION FOR ENERGY COOPERATION

Touching upon the solar power plant project that the European Union plans to establish in the buffer zone, Tatar stated that they could only approve this project on the condition that the Turkish Cypriot side's share of the electricity to be produced is given directly to the Cyprus Turkish Electricity Authority (KIB-TEK).

President Tatar said, "We never shy away from cooperation. I reiterated at today's meeting that we are always open to dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect."