President of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, has accused the Greek Cypriot community of attempting to turn Cyprus into a “Greek island”
Speaking during an occasion at the OSTIM university in Ankara, Tatar said there are two separate peoples residing in Cyprus and that he will not allow the country to become a “Greek island”.
The Turkish Cypriot leader reiterated that a solution to the Cyprus issue can only be reached within a framework which reflects the independence of the Turkish Cypriot people based on equality.
“If there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, then it must be on the basis of cooperation of the two independent peoples who can live side by side,” Tatar said.
As part of his visit to Turkey, Tatar also met with members of the Turkish military, who he claimed carried out a “peace operation” in Cyprus in 1974.
Speaking later in the day, Tatar said that he will not meet with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next Tuesday.
“He will not be a presidential candidate in February, so there is no point for us to meet,” Tatar said.
Commenting on Tatar’s statement, President Anastasiades said he would continue to fight for the reunification of Cyprus until the last day of his presidency.
“My own programme, my own efforts do not depend in any way depend on Mr Tatar’s opinions.”
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SOURCE: Cyprus Mail
