Tatar: Formal negotiations only with recognition of sovereign equality

"Our sovereign equality must be accepted before formal negotiations can begin," said Ersin Tatar.

In an interview with the Turkish channel CNN Türk, Ersin Tatar commented on the images of Greek Cypriot priests using rifles to shoot at targets, saying that " for years the church has had a great influence on politics on the Greek Cypriot side".  The images "are not acceptable.  It was necessary to bring this issue to light since it was published in a local newspaper," he said.

An agreement where both sides can live in peace and tranquility on the island, taking into account the realities of Cyprus, requires the cooperation of "two separate states on the basis of sovereign equality," he said. "We also tell the political authorities that if there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, the church should be held back," he said. He claimed that "there are two separate sovereign peoples" in Cyprus and that "every population has the right to determine its own future".

Ersin Tatar also added that "an agreement on a federal basis, which would refer to a single structure, is not possible" and that the confederation talks, which have continued for years, have not ended. He claimed that "the Greek Cypriot side became a unilateral member of the EU, of which Turkey is not a member" and that "they aim to get Turkey off the island".

He said that in his appeals to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiadis, he told him that there is a need for dialogue, because it is useful and that with dialogue, positions can be developed. "But these are not formal negotiations. If we want to begin formal negotiations, our equality on the international stage must be accepted. We are accepted in these meetings as a community, not as an official state. "If there is going to be a formal negotiation, we have to sit at this table on an equal footing."

Tatar further stated that "our sovereign equality must be accepted in order for the formal negotiations to begin" and spoke of the importance of "maintaining the Turkish-Greek balance in the eastern Mediterranean".

Regarding the assassination of Turkish businessman Khalil Falgiali, the Turkish leader said "we never approve of these events. "Our security forces are very successful, there are some findings, they are very close to solving the case."