Ersin Tatar: A Tangible Outcome Is Needed from New York Talks

Following his meeting with UN Cyprus Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin, Tatar said they had a “good discussion” focused on preparing for the 5+1 meeting hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He confirmed that all key participants will attend, including representatives from the UK, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Greece’s Foreign Minister Yorgos Yerapetritis, the two community leaders, and Guterres himself.

Recalling the March talks, Tatar highlighted that agreements were reached on six confidence-building areas—checkpoints, youth technical committees, mine clearance, environment and climate, cemetery restoration, and solar energy—with plans to further develop these topics in the July meeting.

However, Tatar expressed disappointment about the checkpoint issue, noting it causes major traffic bottlenecks in Nicosia and that despite initiatives, the Greek Cypriot side remains uncooperative. He criticized the Greek Cypriot side for sidestepping the matter in Geneva and stressed that checkpoints are vital for improving intercommunal relations.

On solar energy, Tatar insisted that the 35% share belonging to Turkish Cypriots must be directly delivered to the Turkish Cypriot energy system—not routed through the Greek Cypriot authority—as a matter of sovereignty.

While committed to a constructive approach, Tatar also conveyed his concerns over property issues, which he raised with Holguin. He noted his recent letter to Guterres on the matter had been acknowledged at the UN Security Council.

Tatar emphasized that despite challenges, they remain open to cooperation and hope the New York talks will bear positive results.

He underlined the importance of progress on checkpoints as mutually beneficial and insisted they will continue engaging constructively on such issues.

Tatar also remarked on the distinctiveness of the Cyprus issue, pointing to the Greek Cypriot entry into the EU—with Greece’s backing—contrary to the Cyprus Constitution, and critiqued the EU’s transactional approach.

He noted the British military bases on the island as evidence that the UK is not a neutral guarantor.

Highlighting support from Turkey and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Tatar described diplomatic backing from several states, raising the status of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Rejecting a return to a federal partnership within the EU, Tatar called for unity among Turkish Cypriots for new political strategies.

Stressing the reality of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), he said, “There are two states on the island. Recognition may not come tomorrow, but sooner or later it will, because this reality exists.”

Acknowledging the growing acceptance of two-state reality, Tatar said unification of the two entities is no longer feasible.

He concluded by saying that while no agreement might be reached immediately, strengthening bridges between past and future is essential for a just, lasting solution.

For Tatar, “Our non-negotiables are our sovereignty, our statehood, Turkey’s guarantor role, and our security. We will reiterate these in New York.”