Turkish Cypriot president criticizes German counterpart’ visit to Greek Cypriot administration

TRNC President Ersin Tatar condemns the German President’s visit to the Greek Cypriot administration, highlighting Cyprus’ historical complexities

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) strongly criticized his German counterpart following a recent visit to the Greek Cypriot administration.

Ersin Tatar, while visiting the TRNC’s stand at the International Tourism Fair in Berlin, stated: “We leave them alone with their consciences. If they still cannot see the realities of Cyprus, if they still cannot understand, then the fault is not ours, it is theirs.”

Tatar’s remarks were directed at German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to the Greek Cypriot administration on Feb. 12.

Highlighting the historical context of Cyprus, Tatar emphasized the presence of two distinct communities on the island.

He noted that until the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, Cyprus had been under Ottoman Empire rule for over 350 years.

Pointing to the historical demographics, Tatar mentioned the increase in the Greek population during the British occupation from 1914 to 1925, followed by the period when the island was a Crown colony until 1960.

“Türkish Cypriots have equal rights to sovereignty as Greek Cypriots. They have the right to establish a state there. Since the forced dissolution of that state and the expulsion of Turks, Turkish Cypriots have established their own state based on their inherent acquired rights,” he added.

Tatar also underlined Cyprus’s geographical proximity to Türkiye, being just 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) south of the Turkish coast, compared to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from Greece and 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) from the center of the EU.

Why is it important?

The island of Cyprus has been embroiled in a longstanding dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts by the U.N. to reach a comprehensive settlement.

Beginning in the early 1960s, ethnic attacks forced Turkish Cypriots into enclaves for their safety.

The year 1974 saw a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at annexing the island to Greece, prompting Türkiye’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence.

This led to the establishment of the TRNC in 1983.

The region has witnessed intermittent peace processes, including an unsuccessful 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the guidance of guarantor countries Türkiye, Greece and the U.K.

Source: Newsroom

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