Tensions in Cyprus have risen with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar calling for EU neutrality in the Cyprus dispute. He criticizes the EU’s favoritism towards the Greek Cypriot side and urges recognition of the Turkish Cypriot community’s sovereign equality to end their isolation.
What is the main concern of the Turkish Cypriot leader regarding the EU’s stance on the Cyprus dispute?
The Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, is concerned that the European Union is not neutral and favors the Greek Cypriot side. He urges the EU to recognize the Turkish Cypriot community’s sovereign equality and revise its approach to the Cyprus issue to end their isolation.
The longstanding Cyprus dispute has once again surfaced in the political arena with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, voicing strong opinions regarding the European Union’s stance. On a recent Thursday evening, Tatar expressed that the EU should reevaluate its position and cease favoring the Greek Cypriot side in the matter.
The EU’s Stance and Turkish Cypriot Concerns
At the center of this issue is the European Council’s recent summit in Brussels, which restated the EU’s support for the island’s reunification under a bicommunal bizonal federal framework. Tatar criticized the EU’s conclusions as a capitulation to the Greek Cypriots, claiming that they show the EU’s inability to remain impartial. The Turkish Cypriot leader brought to light the origins of the conflict, claiming the issue began when the Greek Cypriot leadership sought to annex the island to Greece, violating EU membership criteria 20 years ago.
Tatar argued that the failure of previous negotiation attempts, such as the 2017 talks in Crans Montana, should be attributed to the Greek Cypriot leadership, which, according to him, has inappropriately retained its status since 1963. A federal solution, he says, dismisses the desires of the Turkish Cypriot community, which no longer consents to this model.
United Nations Involvement and Future Negotiations
Addressing the appointment of United Nations Envoy Maria Angela Holguin, who was expected to hold her position for six months, Tatar interpreted it as evidence that the pursuit of a federal solution is no longer viable. He insisted that any new negotiations must begin with the acknowledgment of the Turkish Cypriot people’s sovereign equality and international status.
Furthermore, Tatar criticized the notion of intertwining Turkey’s EU relations with the Cyprus problem, labeling it as fruitless and beneficial only to the Greek Cypriot agenda. He pinned the blame for the unresolved status of the Cyprus problem on the Greek Cypriot leadership’s maximalist approach and the supporters of their ongoing tactics.
Divided Reactions
These statements starkly contrast with the reaction from Nikos Christodoulides, who welcomed the European Council’s conclusions. Christodoulides highlighted the significance of this moment, considering the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to restart discussions. He emphasized that, despite Turkey’s position, the Cyprus problem remains an integral part of Euro-Turkish relations.
Ersin Tatar concluded his statements with a call to the EU to abide by its earlier resolutions to end what he described as the inhumane isolation experienced by the Turkish Cypriot community, thus urging for a revision in their treatment and an unbiased approach to the Cyprus issue.
Regional Impact and Broader Implications
The Cyprus problem not only affects intercommunal relations on the island but also has broader implications for regional stability. The island’s strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean makes it a focal point of geopolitical interests, involving not just the local communities but also neighboring countries and global powers. The EU’s policies towards Cyprus, therefore, carry weight beyond the immediate conflict, potentially influencing wider diplomatic and security dynamics in the region.
What is Ersin Tatar’s main concern regarding the EU’s stance on the Cyprus dispute?
Ersin Tatar is concerned that the European Union is not neutral and favors the Greek Cypriot side. He believes that the EU should recognize the Turkish Cypriot community’s sovereign equality and revise its approach to the Cyprus issue to end their isolation.
What role does the United Nations play in the Cyprus issue according to Ersin Tatar?
According to Ersin Tatar, the United Nations’ involvement should acknowledge the sovereign equality and international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. He believes that any new negotiations must start with this recognition, as pursuing a federal solution may no longer be viable.
How does Ersin Tatar view the interconnection between Turkey’s EU relations and the Cyprus problem?
Ersin Tatar criticizes the idea of intertwining Turkey’s EU relations with the Cyprus problem, labeling it as fruitless and serving only the Greek Cypriot agenda. He believes that this approach has not been beneficial in resolving the ongoing conflict and has only added to the Turkish Cypriot community’s isolation.
What are the broader implications of the Cyprus issue beyond the local communities on the island?
The Cyprus issue not only affects intercommunal relations on the island but also has broader implications for regional stability. The strategic location of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean makes it a focal point of geopolitical interests for neighboring countries and global powers. The EU’s policies towards Cyprus could influence wider diplomatic and security dynamics in the region, impacting regional stability.
