Tatar: The wealth of the eastern Mediterranean is common

The wealth of the eastern Mediterranean is common, said Turkish leader Ersin Tatar, adding that they are obliged to defend their rights to the end.

In an interview with BBC Türk, the Turkish leader said that they would not allow the Greek Cypriot side to exploit the wealth of the eastern Mediterranean to its advantage. "If this wealth could be distributed in a fair way, it would provide great economic benefits to both the TRNC and Turkey," he said, referring to the pseudo-state.

He reiterated his position that the transfer of the wealth of the Eastern Mediterranean to the European market through Turkey is the most correct and logical way and that in Cyprus there are, in his words, two separate "peoples" and this has now been established that it is not possible for them to live together or be reunited.

"We have a new policy, with which there could be an agreement only on the basis of sovereign equality of two separate sovereign states in Cyprus. On the other hand, an agreement within the federation, which did not succeed despite years of efforts, stipulates that the majority will rule the minority and that the Turkish Republic will leave the island at some point because it is not a member of the European Union. "All this is in the minutes of the talks," he said.

Noting that the Cyprus issue is a common affair with Turkey and a matter of "honor", Mr. Tatar expressed his satisfaction that the implementation of the new policy is in full harmony with Turkey and strengthens their relations.

Asked to comment on their relations with the United Kingdom in the post-Brexit period, Mr. Tatar said that Britain is a country that is well acquainted with the Cyprus issue and has sympathy for the Turkish Cypriot "people", but its hands are tied on issues such as direct flights, the customs union agreement and the issue of the British bases in Cyprus. As for trade, he said that he believes that Britain will provide some facilities to the Turkish Cypriots and that it is a country close to the Turkish Cypriot "people" despite the situation.

Regarding the opening of part of the enclosed Varosha area, Mr. Tatar said it would contribute to their economy, tourism and politics, adding that despite the pandemic, there were several visitors after the opening.

In a statement during a meeting with Turkish Vice Admiral Jihad Yaici, Ersin Tatar said that their continued cooperation with Turkey secured the TRNC with the right to defend their national interests in terms of geopolitical and hydrocarbon issues.

He appealed to the Greek Cypriot side, saying "if you have a good will, come and meet at a conference, in which the countries of the whole region will be represented, to discuss in a civilized way the fair distribution", adding that the Greek Cypriot side concluded agreements with large companies and some countries as if they were the sole owner of the island

The Turkish Cypriot leader also met yesterday with Professor Dr. Muhittin Simsek, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ahmet Yesevi University in Kazakhstan, where he expressed the hope that the pseudo-state would secure a place in the organization of Turkish states.

"We are part of the great Turkish nation and we are proud of that," Tatar concluded.