President Ersin Tatar stated that during the meetings he held within the framework of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, he conveyed the rightful cause of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Returning to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) last night after completing his contacts in Antalya, President Tatar held a press conference at Ercan Airport, where he shared his evaluations.
President Ersin Tatar, who participated in the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, returned to the TRNC and upon his arrival carried out a press conference at Ercan Airport where he shared his assessments of his meetings in Antalya.
Tatar thanked President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan for inviting him to attend the Forum.
He emphasized the importance of participating in such a significant international event in the face of the unjust embargoes, isolations and restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people.
Tatar stated that the Forum provided him with the opportunity to express the just cause and ongoing struggle of the Turkish Cypriots during his meetings and he described this as highly valuable.
Noting that representatives from 60 countries, including presidents, heads of state and officials had the chance to discuss global issues at the forum, the President expressed his satisfaction that Turkish President Erdoğan once again addressed the Cyprus issue during his opening speech at the event.
“Confirmation of the Turkish Cypriot People’s sovereign equality and equal international status is crucial,” said Tatar adding that without this confirmation, it is not possible for the Turkish Cypriots to enter into any official negotiation process.
Explaining that he had also had a renewed opportunity to meet with Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, during the forum, Tatar stated that he informed DiCarlo about the issues discussed during the expanded meeting held in Geneva in March, as well as his April 2nd meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader.
“I told her that we are continuing our efforts to implement the six points we agreed upon in Geneva, that there needs to be progress in various areas – including the issue of border crossings – and that we hope some developments may take place with Holguín’s upcoming visit to the island,” Tatar said.
He also highlighted that he met with officials from member states of the Organization of Turkic States and the International Organization of Turkic Culture, including the President of Azerbaijan.
During these meetings, Tatar said he conveyed that the Turkish Cypriot people are not only facing isolation but are also being subjected to serious attacks.
He emphasized that the arrest of certain businessmen is unacceptable, stating “We explained that a Turkish Cypriot businessman recently faced problems due to being banned from entering a country, and that the Turkish Cypriot side is deeply disturbed by such developments.”
Tatar noted that he shared this concern with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other officials, who also expressed strong discomfort with the situation.
He concluded by saying that both in his bilateral meetings with state leaders and officials, and in interviews with the press during the Forum, he had the opportunity to raise global awareness of the just cause and ongoing struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people.