TRNC denies rumors of tri-partite meeting with Greek Cypriot leader

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar has refuted claims by Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) Leader Nikos Hristodulidis that the United Nations (UN) has invited them to a tri-partite meeting on Aug. 13.

No Basis for new negotiations

In a statement from the TRNC Presidency, Tatar emphasized that without the recognition of the Turkish side’s sovereign equality and equal international status, restarting Cyprus negotiations is out of the question. He firmly stated that there will be no return to federal solution negotiations.

Nobody should expect the negotiations to restart from where they left off in Crans Montana. The search for a federal solution ended in Crans Montana. There is no common ground for negotiations to resume. Given this reality, there is no need for a tri-partite or any other format of meeting. Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Hristodulidis is trying to create faits accomplis. His claim of a tri-partite meeting is false

Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic President Ersin Tatar

Turkish side stands firm

Tatar pointed out that Hristodulidis is persistently attempting to create a negative perception to put the Turkish side in a difficult position.

He assured the TRNC operates in full harmony with Turkey on all issues.

The stance and position of the TRNC on negotiations are clear. There has been no invitation from U.N.Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a tri-partite meeting. Under current conditions, we will not agree to such a meeting. There is no basis for it. Our position on the conditions for starting negotiations is clear: without the acknowledgment of our sovereign equality and equal international status, negotiations cannot begin. The Greeks are again playing games. We have not received any invitation. Their intentions are to create a false perception and pressure the Turkish side. We will not fall for these games. Hristodulidis should stop chasing empty dreams and consider the realities on the island

TRNC President Ersin Tatar