Talat: RMMO legalized, nobody is speaking up
News: Pelin Yükselay
Talat, stating that "We are facing a terrible cost of living," said that the cost of living in Northern Cyprus has surpassed even Southern Cyprus and many countries in the world. Noting that the main agenda of citizens is livelihood concerns, Talat stated that this delays the entry into an election atmosphere.
Addressing the increasing concerns about the construction sector, Talat said that many people are worried about property uncertainty. He stated that questions such as "I live in a Greek house, but the land is Greek land... What will happen?" create serious unrest in society.
Talat said that the arrest of 5 Greek Cypriot citizens who wanted to cross to the North to see their properties, followed by the detention of real estate agents and public officials, caused great anxiety in the society.
Expressing that these developments overshadowed the election agenda, Talat said, "All these events delayed the citizens' interest in the election. Now, as the election approaches, the public is slowly starting to shape its decision regarding the ballot box."
2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat also reacted to the recent military and diplomatic moves of the Greek side. Talat stated that the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) is being gradually legitimized internationally with the support of the United States and the European Union, but the TRNC and Turkey remain silent.
Talat, saying, "We are watching the Greeks' antics," criticized Southern Cyprus for requesting weapons from the United States, conducting exercises in the Mediterranean, and the representation of the Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG) in international meetings. Talat reminded that the GCNG is an "illegal army" and said that remaining silent on this is unacceptable.
Talat said, "Despite the US lifting the arms embargo, we did not have a serious reaction. In the past, we would have raised hell in such a situation. Today, we remain silent."
Talat stated that the Greek side is beginning to be treated as a 'legitimate armed force' in the international arena, and that this could go as far as NATO membership in the future.
"The Greeks always overturned the tables, now we are being blamed"
Talat reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side has always been the party striving for a solution in past negotiation processes, while the Greek Cypriot side always overturned the tables. Despite this, he stated that even the European Parliament taking decisions against them at this point is an indication of weakness in foreign policy.
"Islamic countries and Turkish states are silent, we are becoming isolated"
Continuing his speech, Talat stated that even Islamic countries are now hesitant to support the Turkish Cypriot side, and also touched upon the opening of embassies by Turkish states in Southern Cyprus.
Talat said, "Islamic countries have become afraid to speak in our favor. Turkish states have opened embassies in Southern Cyprus. Tomorrow, they may come out and say, 'we do not recognize the TRNC,' I wouldn't be surprised at all. All of these things can happen."
Talat stated that the Turkish Cypriot side is experiencing great isolation in the international arena and that there is a serious weakness in foreign policy, and said, "We are in a very bad situation in the international arena. We are not managing this process well; on the contrary, we are going backwards."
Talat: Neither two-state solution nor federation will yield results without dialogue
2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat, drawing attention to the deadlock in international relations, emphasized the necessity for the Turkish Cypriot side to establish dialogue with both the Western world and Southern Cyprus.
Talat stated that the TRNC's efforts to be recognized in the outside world should be supported not only by unilateral statements but also by concrete and diplomatic steps, and made the following statements:
"We have to shape our own foreign policy and establish dialogue with the West. Not only the West, but we must also have dialogue with Southern Cyprus. I'm not always saying good relations, but dialogue is essential."
"We cannot make progress without convincing the world public"
Talat stated that the two-state solution proposal or the federal solution model advocated in the past will remain ineffective without international contacts and support, and said, "If we want a separate solution model, we need to convince the world of this. The way to do this is to collect concrete data that will prove that the Greek side is avoiding a solution."
Talat: The most reasonable solution is federation, but other ways can also be discussed
2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat emphasized that federation is still the most reasonable and internationally accepted formula as a solution model, while stating that the Turkish Cypriot side should clearly demonstrate its solution will and force the Greek side to the table.
"Federation is not a structure that the Turkish side will declare alone"
Talat also responded to criticisms about federation discussions and the solution vision of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), noting:
"The solution will of the Turkish Cypriot side is clear. No one can get up and say 'we will establish a federation'. Because the federation is established with mutual consent with the Greeks. Principles are determined, negotiations are held. Federation is not a structure that the Turkish side will declare alone."
"The Annan Plan was a federation, Turkey was the guarantor"
Talat reminded that the idea of federation is not new, and that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side defended this model in the past, adding, "The Annan Plan was a federation, and Turkey's guarantee continued. The sayings 'Federation is bad, we will become a minority' are wrong. This solution model is the proposal of the late Bülent Ecevit, the conqueror of the island. Denktaş also negotiated this model for many years."
"It is not the CTP that is not reciprocated, but Tatar's policy"
President Ersin Tatar also argued that the two-state solution vision has not found a concrete response in foreign policy, and said:
"It is said that the CTP's discourse is not reciprocated, but what is not reciprocated is Tatar's discourse. He cannot explain the two-state solution proposal to anyone in the international arena. His foreign visits have turned into tourist trips. He did not hold meetings with any foreign ministers or serious political actors. He is only invited to the Turkish States Organization if it is held in Turkey or Azerbaijan, otherwise he is not called. No diplomatic contact is established with Arab countries either. No serious steps have been taken to ensure the acceptance of the two-state solution idea."
"If the Greek side does not accept the federation, alternatives will be discussed"
Talat stated that the federation is still the most realistic model on the table, but a new roadmap should be determined according to the approach of the Greek side, saying, "If the Greeks do not want a federation, then we will sit down and talk about another solution model. But at the moment, the only model we have with international legitimacy and acquis is federation. The Turkish Cypriot people should always maintain the will to solve the issue and take steps to show this to the world," he said.
2nd President Talat: We can open the Haspolat Gate if we want
Talat also stated that there are no technical or diplomatic obstacles to opening a new border crossing in the Haspolat region, and said, "We can open the gate if we want, the Greeks cannot object to this."
Talat emphasized that opening the gate is important both symbolically and practically, and made the following statements:
"At the moment, our side can open the Haspolat gate if it wants to. The Greeks cannot say no to this. They cannot prevent the passage of European Union citizens, and they cannot allow this due to their internal politics."
"Our side is not sincere"
Talat argued that the Turkish Cypriot side is not acting sincerely about opening the gate, and stated that he told President Ersin Tatar about this situation, continuing:
"There are those on our side who do not want the gate to be opened either. They are not sincere. I told Mr. Tatar my thoughts on this. So far, no meeting has been held with the Greek side to open any gate other than the Yeşilırmak gate. That was because it was a military zone. All other gates were opened on our initiative."
"The EU puts pressure on the Greeks"
Talat also stated that mutual agreement is not required for the opening of the Haspolat Gate, and that if the Turkish side takes this step, the European Union will pressure the Greek side to ensure passage, saying, "There is no need for negotiations for Haspolat. Open the gate, let people pass. If they don't open it, you will see that the European Union will have the Greeks open the gate in two minutes," he said.
Talat: Transit corridor demands should be considered as part of the Cyprus issue
2nd President Mehmet Ali Talat made evaluations regarding the Greek side's transit corridor demands and emphasized that such issues should be considered within the framework of a holistic solution to the Cyprus issue.
Expressing that a transit corridor can only be possible as part of a comprehensive solution process, Talat underlined the principle of reciprocity:
"The issue can be discussed, but if I were them, I would say, 'Let's discuss the Cyprus issue, and we will include that issue in it.' This can only happen with a comprehensive solution. I would say, 'Let's sit at the table and open all the gates together.'"
Talat emphasized that in response to the Greek side's transit corridor demand, Turkish Cypriots have also been waiting for a solution for a long time on issues such as free passage to the South, especially citizenship and passage rights of people born from mixed marriages, and said, "You want a transit corridor, so why can't all of my people pass to the South? Then I will give you the corridors you want, and you give me this right. I will also open issues such as citizenship arising from mixed marriages for discussion."
"Reciprocal steps are essential"
Talat said that the Greek side's focusing only on its own demands will not contribute to the solution process, and that equality and mutual steps should be taken as a basis, saying:
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"My approach is clear: If one party wants something, our legitimate demands should be on the agenda in return. Otherwise, a lasting solution and healthy cooperation will not be possible."