Lefkosa (North Nicosia), 24 June 2022

Ersin Tatar, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)  held bilateral talks with the visiting Turkiye Vice President Fuat Oktay who arrived in the TRNC for an official visit on Thursday. Later, both addressed to a press conference at the TRNC Presidency.

Referring to his earlier letter sent to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, Tatar said that it was out of the question to return Maraş or to handover the control of Ercan Airport to the UN and the EU, which were proposed as part of the so-called confidence-building measures (CBMs).

He reiterated that a process may only proceed on the basis of sovereign equality of two states. He said that they would offer a proposal for cooperation between the two states in response to Anastasiades' letter and suggestions. He added that the proposals will also include natural gas and the field of hydrocarbons.

In regards to Maraş initiative, Tatar said that this is an important and valuable step. Tatar noted that the region was visited by 500,000 people, that the opening was made in accordance with international law, and that they will evaluate the applications of former property owners.

He said “I would like to underline that Maraş is located within the borders of the TRNC and they shall be further upgrading the town’s infrastructure.

Türkiye’s Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that both sides discussed common issues of interests and evaluated the steps to be taken with a consensus and unity of purpose in the future.

He said that he had an extremely productive meeting with President Tatar and both sides discussed the latest developments on the issue of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the opening of Maraş.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot administration of constantly sabotaging the sincere initiatives of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding a settlement through its maximalist demands, Oktay added the only way that will pave the way for a solution is the registration of the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people and the sovereign equality and equal status of the state.

Oktay also reiterated his view that such a solution would also contribute to the development of the cooperation environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Turkish Vice President also took a swipe at the European Union, accusing the bloc of seeing the Cyprus Issue through the eyes of the Greek Cypriot side. He stressed on EU to adopt its own independent policies on the Cyprus Issue.