Leaders discuss solution to Cyprus in tripartite luncheon meeting

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - File

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Upon the invitation of United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the leaders of Northern and Southern Cyprus had a tripartite luncheon meeting to discuss the solution to Cyprus.

President Ersin Tatar spoke to the press after lunch with Guterres and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

As reported by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), President Ersin Tatar stated that "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would begin official talks on the Cyprus issue if the sovereign equality and international equal status of the TRNC are recognized."

Tatar said that "as no outcome has been reached for 60 years, these talks cannot be continued with the same understanding."

Tatar echoed Guterres' statement, saying that "there is no urgency to begin formal negotiations in Cyprus as there is no common ground." He noted that "there are two separate nations and two separate states in Cyprus" and "if this situation is not recognized, the status quo will continue."

"There is a state in the north," he said, adding, "This state has full-fledged institutions and organizations. That's why it is out of the question for us to take a step back from our own state from now on."

Tatar met on September 25 with Guterres on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The two exchanged views on the Cyprus issue, according to a statement by the UN.

Press briefing by Anastasiades

Anastasiades, in a press briefing, also shared the Greek administration's approaches on the solution to the Cyprus issue and that their positions are in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

"We also made proposals on how to move forward. The UN Secretary General plans to appoint a special envoy for Cyprus," he said.

Anastasiades also stated that UN Secretary General Guterres would issue a statement regarding the trilateral meeting and how it would proceed from now on after consultation with both sides. He said that there would be no meetings between the leaders of both sides in the near future.

'We cannot even discuss it'

Foreign Minister of Southern Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides also said in an interview with The Associated Press (AP) on September 27 that the lunch meeting was "quite constructive" and also "positive because it shows the interest of the secretary-general to the Cyprus problem."

"Without negotiations, we understand, the situation is getting more and more difficult," Christodoulides reportedly said, adding, "The only way to solve the Cyprus problem is through negotiations."

He said that the Greek Cypriots "cannot even discuss" the two-state deal Turkish Cypriots and Turkey want as it is outside the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions and the Gutterres' mandate. The international community has also had a "negative" reaction to the proposal, he said, adding that "the only viable solution for Cyprus is a federation."

(PT/SD)