FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of cooperation between the two sides of Cyprus during a dinner hosted by the UN Secretary-General as part of the informal 5+1 meeting in Geneva.
The Geneva meetings on the Cyprus issue, convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, bring together key stakeholders to address the long-standing division of the island. Participants include representatives from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, as well as officials from Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, the three guarantor powers of Cyprus. The European Union is also represented, reflecting its vested interest in the region
Speaking to journalists Monday evening, Tatar expressed optimism about the ongoing discussions. “The dinner was good. The discussion was good. The Cyprus issue is an old issue. A UN that can solve so many problems in the world should also see the Cyprus issue positively,” he said. “Cooperation is what we focus on. Let’s forget the past and look forward.”
Tatar urged the UN Secretary-General to intensify efforts to address the challenges in Cyprus, stressing the need for Turkish Cypriots to have hope and confidence in their future.
“Our cooperation is necessary in both the north and the south,” Tatar said. “We see that cooperation can be done. Why not? This is what I am working on. God willing, tomorrow too.”
Tatar reiterated that the mission of the meeting is to develop a culture of cooperation, expressing hope that the messages exchanged during the discussions would resonate.
When asked about his interactions with the Greek Foreign Minister, Tatar confirmed that such discussions had taken place during the evening and would continue in greater depth in the following sessions.
These discussions aim to explore pathways toward resolving the Cyprus problem.
The meetings include bilateral discussions between the UN Secretary-General and each delegation, followed by a plenary session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. These talks are seen as an opportunity to break the deadlock and foster cooperation, though expectations for a breakthrough remain low due to significant differences between the parties.
Despite the challenges, the meetings are viewed as a platform for confidence-building measures, such as opening new crossing points between the two communities. The hope is that these discussions will pave the way for renewed negotiations and a more unified future for Cyprus