Tatar to Advocate Turkish Cypriot Rights

As world leaders convene for the UN General Assembly, Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), aims to advocate for the rights and recognition of Turkish Cypriots, Daily Sabah reported.

Tatar arrived in New York to engage with UN officials, seeking support to end the long-standing international isolation of his community. A key meeting on his agenda is with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, where he plans to discuss direct flights, trade opportunities, international engagement, and lifting restrictions on the Turkish Cypriot population.

Tatar will meet with Guterres on Saturday, it was announced.

This visit follows a six-month review by Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative, who recently concluded her investigation into the island’s situation.

Tatar has also dismissed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ proposal to restart negotiations in Crans-Montana, citing the failed talks of 2017. He warned that such discussions could jeopardise Turkish Cypriot autonomy and undermine Türkiye’s role as a guarantor power.

“We will not engage in discussions unless our equal status and sovereignty are recognised“, Tatar stated, affirming his commitment to securing international acknowledgment for Northern Cyprus.

The TRNC is officially recognised only by Turkey whose President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is also in New York and is expected to call for recognition of the TRNC in his discussions with other leaders.

The Cyprus conflict, marked by decades of tension between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, remains unresolved despite numerous diplomatic efforts. Ethnic violence in the 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots into enclaves for safety. In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup led Türkiye to intervene militarily, resulting in the establishment of the TRNC in 1983. Turkey advocates for a two-state solution based on equal sovereignty and status for both communities.

Daily Sabah