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Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar stated on late Sunday that Türkiye is the guarantor country and the strongest in the region, emphasizing a two-state solution for Cyprus ahead of Oct. 19 presidential elections.
Tatar appeared on TRT Haber and answered questions about the upcoming presidential election on the island. He stressed that a federal structure is no longer possible on the island and reiterated that the key to a solution in Cyprus is two sovereign states.
"There is no return from this, there is no return from the two-state policy. Because going back would make us and Türkiye lose a lot. There is a policy conducted in harmony with the Turkish Cypriots, and a president, foreign minister sharing this with the world, the National Security Council has made its assessment and now says there is no return from the two-state solution," Tatar said.
Tatar warned that the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island would be the end of Turkish Cypriots. He emphasized democracy for the Oct. 19 presidential election and said the following: "What passes through my heart is that on the morning of Oct. 20, all the world's newspaper headlines would say, 'TRNC won the election, the Turkish Cypriot people stood by sovereignty and once again approved their relations with Türkiye.' It would be very valuable for me to give such constructive positive messages."
Tatar said diplomatic work means making one's voice heard and persuading the other side. He noted that during his term, relations with Türkiye reached the highest point, adding, "Türkiye is both the motherland and the guarantor country and is undisputedly the strongest country in this region."
"In my term, our relations with the Republic of Türkiye have reached the highest point. Before me, there was not such harmonious work. Therefore, we were able to explain the two-state policy to the whole world by speaking with the same voice in consultation and harmony with Türkiye," Tatar added.
Tatar said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speeches were very important. He noted that when looking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September this year, the president once again said that the Turkish Cyprus must now be recognized, that there are two separate states in Cyprus and that there can only be a solution with the sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots.
"President Erdogan made our voice heard in places we could never go. For the first time, a president defended and claimed the rights of Turkish Cypriots," Tatar said.
When asked what happens when Türkiye's views and the TRNC administration's views do not align, Tatar said an unpleasant image would emerge.
"Türkiye is my motherland. Türkiye is the guarantor country. Türkiye is the biggest and strongest country. It provides security, the Turkish Armed Forces here provide security," he added.
"Yes, these are two separate states, but what do we say: one nation, two states. If the nation is divided, if the nation thinks differently, what happens? Weakness occurs. Meaning, vulnerability from the outside. It is very important that we are on the same line and think the same thing," Tatar said.
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When asked what danger the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island would pose for Turkish Cypriots, Tatar replied: "It would be the end of Cyprus Turks. Because I know the Greek Cypriots, I see how racist and aggressive they can be. Maybe they don't show it that much right now. But I know the anger."
"After 1974, they really couldn't digest a lot of things. Of course, the reason is themselves. They attacked the Turkish Cypriots. It was genocide, with every kind of human drama, atrocity," he concluded.
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