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According to a report by Kathimerini's Yiannis Ioannou, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, fresh from meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, expressed willingness to engage in a trilateral meeting on the Cyprus issue but maintained his firm stance on sovereign equality and a two-state solution.
Tatar, speaking to Turkish Cypriot media, reiterated that any formal negotiations would only resume if the "inherent rights" of Turkish Cypriots are recognized, including sovereign equality and equal international status. "Negotiations on a federal basis have been conducted for over half a century and ended in failure," he said, referring to the rejection of the Annan Plan by Greek Cypriots in a 2004 referendum.
"We are pushing for a meeting with the participation of the 'mother countries' to address issues like natural resources and irregular migration based on equality," Tatar said.
Potential October Talks
Sources suggest that a trilateral meeting between Tatar, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, and Guterres could take place in October. While details are yet to be finalized, the meeting could occur in Cyprus or elsewhere, possibly as an informal dinner. The Turkish Cypriot side, however, insists the meeting should not have a negotiating character.
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Constantinos Kombos, confirmed in an interview that the Greek Cypriot side has proposed three possible October dates for the meeting to the UN.
Ankara's Push for "4+1" Format
Tatar and Ankara are advocating for a Cyprus conference in a "4+1" format, involving Greece and Turkey as "mother countries" rather than guarantor powers, notably excluding the UK. Tatar conveyed to Guterres that Turkey prefers this format to discuss Cyprus' future beyond a federal solution.
"We are pushing for a meeting with the participation of the 'mother countries' to address issues like natural resources and irregular migration based on equality," Tatar said. He also indicated readiness for an informal trilateral dinner, as proposed by Guterres.
Tatar emphasized that discussions would cover key issues such as hydrocarbon exploration, water and electricity projects, and migration, but always from the standpoint of sovereign equality for Turkish Cypriots.
The proposal underscores the deep divisions that continue to impede a resolution to the decades-old Cyprus conflict, even as international efforts for renewed dialogue persist.
