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A viable and realistic solution can be achieved through the cooperation of the two states, the T/q leader said, adding that in case the right of sovereign equality of the T/q "people" is confirmed, they can discuss the solution of the Cyprus problem.
As reported in the occupied territories, Tatar held a meeting in his office with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Erika Olson and US Ambassador to Cyprus Judith Garber.
During the meeting, Tatar is reported to have added that the TCs are at least as sovereign as the HCs, sovereign equality is a natural/acquired right and they are ready to start substantive formal negotiations if their sovereign right is confirmed.
He argued that although there was an equal partnership under the 1960 Constitution, the Greek Cypriot side pushed the Turkish Cypriots out of the state by force of arms in order to link the island to Greece. On 15 July 1974, after the coup launched by the Greek junta with the overthrow of Archbishop Makarios, Nikos Samson declared the "Hellenic Republic of Cyprus" on 17 July 1974, Tatar continued, saying that in 1974, using its guarantor rights, Turkey carried out the "Cyprus peace operation", as they call the invasion. Peace, he continued, came to the island with this "operation", again meaning the invasion.
To the American official, Ersin Tatar said that the EU has not kept the promises it made to the TCs and the unjust - as he called them - "embargoes" against the TCs, who for 60 years have been governing themselves and have their own institutions, continue, in his words. He also argued that it was unjust that the G/C joined the EU in 2004 despite saying No to the Annan plan and that the EU cannot be objective since the G/C and Greece are its members. Garber also mentioned that for years a solution on the basis of real equality could not be found due to the reluctance of the e/c side and a viable and realistic solution can only be found on the basis of sovereign equality and cooperation between the two existing states.
A solution, Tatar continued, would benefit the E/C as they would be able to use the airspace, ports and the commercial market of Turkey, a country of 65 million people just 40 nautical miles away, he said.
The meeting, as stated in a statement by the "presidency", also discussed the issue of bi-communal Technical Committees. The T/C side is willing to take the initiative and is examining the issues that will truly increase trust and cooperation between the two sides and contribute to a reconciliation on the basis of sovereign equality, Tatar said.
Tatar added that they look forward to the US contribution to achieving a sustainable reconciliation based on the parties' natural/acquired rights in Cyprus.
Source: CNA
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