Tatar tells British TV Cyprus’ reunification is ‘impossible’

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Tuesday evening told British television channel GB News Cypriot reunification is “absolutely impossible”.

Tatar appeared on a show hosted by former Member of the European Parliament Martin Daubney, and told him that instead of reunification, he had put forward a “new vision” for a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem.

“We have been governing ourselves as a de facto state for the last 60 years, and the Greek Cypriots have been doing the same. After all these years, reunification is absolutely impossible. There had been negotiations for a federal solution for 50 years. None of them led to a solution,” he said.

He then made reference to the failed Annan Plan referendum in 2004 and the collapse of negotiations at Crans Montana in 2017, adding that “all these processes failed because the Greek Cypriots are a recognised state in the European Union.

“Simply put, the Greek Cypriots are not ready to share power with the Turkish Cypriots over the administration of the island, its wealth, and its resources,” he said.

He added that in the event of a two-state solution, both sides would then cooperate on matters of energy, water, natural resources and in many other areas.

“This way, it will be a win-win for both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots.”

Tatar’s appearance on GB News came as part of a visit to the United Kingdom, during which he also met a group of British MPs and Lords.

Among the group was British Cypriot MP Nesil Caliskan, who he congratulated on being the first Turkish Cypriot woman elected as an MP in the UK.

In return, she thanked him for his visit, and said, “there is an unresolved situation in Cyprus and a political solution must be found to the problem.”