FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has criticized the United Kingdom for its perceived lack of neutrality and support for Turkish Cypriots, emphasizing that a two-state solution is the only viable path to a fair and sustainable resolution of the Cyprus issue.
Speaking after a meeting with British Minister of State for Europe and North America Stephen Doughty, Tatar expressed disappointment over the U.K.’s strengthening ties with the Republic of Cyprus, which he said exacerbates inequality on the island. “For the last 60 years, Britain has not been able to display an approach that fully reflects the reality in Cyprus,” Tatar remarked.
The meeting focused on the Turkish Cypriot perspective ahead of upcoming Geneva talks. Tatar reiterated that official negotiations could only proceed with recognition of the Turkish Cypriot side’s “sovereign equality” and “international equal status.”
Tatar also criticized the U.K.’s recent policies, stating, “The development of the UK’s relations with Cyprus (Republic) in recent years has further increased the imbalance and inequality between the two sides in Cyprus.”
Reaffirming his stance, Tatar declared, “A two-state solution, based on the realities of Cyprus, is the only option for a fair and sustainable solution.” He urged the U.K. to adopt a more balanced approach, particularly in light of its responsibilities post-Brexit.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Nicosia, an earlier meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Doughty was described as “very constructive.”
Doughty, visited Cyprus yesterday for a series of meetings ahead of the informal expanded talks on the Cyprus issue, scheduled for March 17-18 in Geneva.