Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reiterated that any EU-backed solution to the Cyprus issue is possible only if the “sovereignty” of the Turkish Cypriot people is recognized. He argued that the two-state approach arose as a direct consequence of the Greek Cypriot side’s stance over past decades.
Tatar made his remarks during an event titled “Those Who Left Their Mark on the Path of Service” at the presidential complex, attended by retired officials, the “Minister of Economy and Energy” Olgun Amcaoğlu, and other senior figures.
A video showcased Tatar’s activities both within the occupied territories and abroad, highlighting visits to Turkish Cypriot communities in other countries. In his speech, he thanked attendees for their service and described his tenure as relentless, emphasizing close engagement with citizens over the past five years alongside efforts to advance the Turkey-backed two-state policy internationally.
He claimed that the self-declared state achieved observer status in international organizations and insisted he consistently defended the rights of Turkish Cypriots. According to Tatar, the two-state approach emerged in response to Greek Cypriot intransigence and remains the only viable path for an EU-mediated solution.
Addressing critics, Tatar said he does not “strike below the belt,” yet alleged some media coverage has misrepresented his actions. He dismissed negotiations that ignore Turkish Cypriot sovereignty as “absurd” and accused detractors of attempting to undermine his work toward international recognition of the self-declared state.
Tatar argued that the international community now accepts that a federal solution is unworkable, claiming Greek Cypriots will never agree to a framework based on equality. He described the two-state policy as “extremely accurate” and framed it as a new beginning developed jointly with Turkey.
With information from CNA
