Tatar says will not be forced to accept UNSG proposals

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Tuesday rubbished reports that he will be forced to accept UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ proposals during their upcoming meeting in New York.

He said that reports in Greek Cypriot media saying that he will have to accept proposals Guterres has made to President Nikos Christodoulides are mere speculation and have nothing to do with reality.

Speaking to Turkish Cypriot media after meeting ‘parliamentary’ parties ahead of his departure for New York, where he will meet Guterres on Friday, he pointed out that the UNSG’s special envoy has been appointed for six months, and is not even halfway through that period.

“Consultations are ongoing,” he said, adding he expects to meet Maria Ángela Holguín for the third time in April, on a date that has already been set.

“But certainly, our view is that if there is a definitive, fair, permanent agreement in Cyprus, it will certainly be a two-state solution,” Tatar was quoted telling the Turkish Cypriot media.

He then added that he will not enter a process that has been fully exhausted for 50 years, “first with the Annan Plan and then at Crans Montana.”

“Our policy is now Turkey’s national policy,” Tatar said, before expressed his dissatisfaction with UN Security Council Resolution 186, which designates Christodoulides “as the sole representative of the Republic of Cyprus.”

Tatar said that when he returns from New York, he will inform the political leaders about his meeting with Guterres and, if necessary, the Turkish Cypriot ‘parliament’ itself.