No talks until Turkish Cyprus’ equal status recognized: Tatar

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will begin official talks on the Cyprus issue if its sovereign equality and international equal status are recognized, the nation's president said on Sept. 27. 

Speaking to reporters after a tripartite luncheon meeting that included U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, Ersin Tatar said as no outcome has been reached for 60 years, these talks cannot be continued with the same understanding.

Tatar echoed Guterres' statement, saying there is no urgency to begin formal negotiations in Cyprus as there is no common ground.

The TRNC president noted that there are two separate nations and two separate states in Cyprus, saying that if this situation is not recognized, the status quo will continue.

He also said that Turkish Cypriots are facing injustice.

"The Secretary General also confirms this in his speeches. There is a state in the north.

"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," he added.

Earlier, after leaving the meeting, Tatar told Anadolu Agency that the Turkish side was working "to preserve our position to safeguard the interests of our community, of the Turkish Cypriot people.

"We will be using every opportunity to discuss the way forward," he said. ​​​​​​​

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

Anastasiades in a press briefing said he shared the Greek administration's approaches on the solution of the Cyprus issue and that their...