the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ersin Tatar, has formally requested a meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his upcoming visit to the Greek Cypriot Management in Southern Cyprus on December 9, 2024.
this request comes as Starmer prepares for his second meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulidis in five months,following their initial encounter in London in October. President Tatar, through his Special Representative Güneş Onar, expressed his hope that the Prime minister, known for his “logical and pragmatic thinking,” would sieze the opportunity to gain firsthand understanding of the Turkish Cypriot perspective.
“Even though the visit coincides with a larger informal meeting on the Cyprus issue organized by the UN Secretary-General, where the UK will be represented, it is indeed the responsibility of the UK, as one of the guarantor powers, to engage with both sides equally,” stated President Tatar.
“There are two sides in Cyprus, and any solution requires communication, cooperation, and understanding between the parties. Ignoring the existence of the Turkish Cypriot population and meeting with only one of the parties will undermine efforts to build trust between the parties and pave the way for meaningful cooperation in various fields.”
President Tatar emphasized that such “special treatment” given to the Greek Cypriot side could make it even more difficult for them to move beyond their long-standing refusal to share power and wealth equitably with the Turkish Cypriot people.
He urged the UK, as a guarantor power with a voice in the UN Security Council and a deep understanding of Cyprus’s ancient context, to adopt a balanced approach that respects the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people and their elected leaders.
President Tatar highlighted that the Greek Cypriot leader does not have the authority to represent the Turkish Cypriot people or the self-declared “Superior Autonomous Regions.”
He recalled the 2004 UN-sponsored referendum,where the Greek Cypriot side rejected the Complete Settlement Plan. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, at the time, stated that it was “illogical” to continue isolating the Turkish Cypriots after the referendum results and called on the international community to end the unfair restrictions imposed on them.
“With this understanding, there was common sense, and the prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, agreed to meet the President Ersin Tatar when he was visiting the Island, saying that the United Kingdom accepts both sides as equal and that she wants to encourage. We expect him to show not only by words but also by action.”
President Tatar expressed his expectation that Prime Minister Starmer would demonstrate his commitment to a balanced approach through concrete actions.
## “A Bridge Too Far? TRNC President Seeks Meeting with UK Prime Minister”
**World-Today-News Exclusive Interview with Dr. Yannis Dimitriou, Cyprus Conflict Expert**
**World-Today-News:** President Ersin Tatar has formally requested a meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his December 9th visit to Southern Cyprus. How significant is this request,and what are its potential implications?
**Dr. Dimitriou:** This is a significant move by President Tatar. It signals his desire to engage directly with teh UK, a key player in the Cyprus issue due to its historical ties and its guarantor status alongside Turkey and Greece. The fact that heS making this request on the eve of Starmer’s meeting with greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulidis adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
**World-Today-News:** Some analysts view this request as a “diplomatic ploy” designed to put pressure on the Greek Cypriot side and the UK. Do you agree?
**dr. Dimitriou:** There’s definitely an element of strategy at play.President Tatar is actively seeking to elevate the profile of the TRNC on the international stage. He aims to present himself as a key stakeholder in the Cyprus issue and to challenge the narrative that the Greek Cypriot administration is the sole legitimate representative of the island.
**World-Today-news:** What are the potential obstacles to this meeting taking place?
**Dr. Dimitriou:** The most significant hurdle is the UK’s position on the Cyprus issue.While the UK officially supports a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, its recent actions, such as providing financial aid to the Greek Cypriot administration, have been perceived by the TRNC as favoring the Greek Cypriot side. It remains to be seen if Starmer would be willing to risk alienating the Greek Cypriots by meeting with Tatar.
**World-Today-News:** What could be the positive outcomes of this meeting, if it were to happen?
**Dr. Dimitriou:** A meeting,even if brief,could open a channel of direct communication between the UK and the TRNC. This could lead to a better understanding of each other’s positions and potentially pave the way for future dialog.It could also signal a shift in the UK’s approach towards the Cyprus problem, recognizing the TRNC as a crucial stakeholder in any solution.
**World-Today-News:** Dr. Dimitriou, thank you for sharing your insights.
**dr. Dimitriou:** My pleasure. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of the Cyprus issue, and it’s vital to watch closely the developments surrounding this potential meeting.
