Tatar says dream of Turkish soldiers leaving the island will never happen

Greeks and Greek Cypriots want to scrap Turkish guarantees and get rid Cyprus of the Turkish army, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said on Wednesday.

Tatar, who was visiting the Turkish army command in the north, said US Senator Robert Menendez’ dream of seeing the Turkish army leave Cyprus would never happen.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said the Turkish army brought peace to the island on July 20, 1974 and called on Greek Cypriots to abandon their armament activities and behaviours that escalated tension.

Tatar said what was important was finding a fair and lasting solution that would benefit Cyprus and the region.

US Senator Robert Menendez on Monday said his goal was to see the last Turkish soldier leave the island as he received Cyprus’ highest order of merit bestowed by President Nicos Anastasiades.

Anastasiades presented Menendez with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III during a ceremony at the presidential palace. Menendez, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a politician is regarded as a longstanding friend to Cyprus, instrumental in passing legislation ending the US arms embargo on the Republic.