The President of the TRNC returned from the USA and summed up the meeting with António Guterres

The President of the TRNC, Ersin Tatar, arrived on the island from the USA late last night. Upon returning home, the Head of Northern Cyprus held a press conference at Ercan Airport and spoke about his contacts in America.

Accompanying the president at the airport were the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hussein Chavush, the Deputy Secretary of the President's Administration, Okan Donangil, and some civilian and military officials.

According to Ersin Tatar, during his trip to America, he held talks with representatives of the US State Department, American experts from the Hudson Institute analytical centre, and members of Cypriot-Turkish non-governmental organizations in Washington. Then, on April 5th, he met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, at the UN headquarters in New York.

During the meeting with the UN chief, the current situation surrounding the Cyprus issue was discussed.

The President of the TRNC informed António Guterres that his personal representative, Maria Angela Holguín Cueliar, was exploring whether there is a common basis for a new official negotiation process on the island. At the moment, there is no such common ground.

Ersin Tatar also emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot side would be ready to sit down for negotiations only after confirming sovereign equality and equal international status.

“If an agreement is to be signed in Cyprus, it must be concluded freely and with the approval of both sides,” said Ersin Tatar at the press conference, adding that the UN has its opinion on this matter.

The Head of Northern Cyprus noted that “the UN Secretary-General also respects the position of the Turkish Cypriots and stated that no process can begin by force.”

Ersin Tatar added that he conveyed to the UN chief that the embargo and restrictions imposed on Turkish Cypriots must be lifted.

Overall, the President of the TRNC assessed the meeting with António Guterres as “positive.”

After visiting the UN headquarters, the Head of Northern Cyprus held a series of meetings and attended an iftar dinner at the Turkish House in New York.