The appointment of Johannes Hahn as the EU Special Representative is solely an internal matter for the EU, has no implications for the Turkish Cypriot community, and “there will be no contact or discussions regarding this appointment,” stated Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in a written statement.
Tatar noted the persistent “obsessive” emphasis by Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides on the EU appointing a Special Representative, a decision made without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side “and against our will.” He argued that “such a unilateral decision holds no validity for us.”
The Turkish Cypriot leader accused President Christodoulides of framing this appointment “as a personal triumph to his constituents and attempting to equate Hahn with the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy,” which he described as “fiction. This perspective is not just unrealistic, but also dismissive of ongoing efforts within the UN.”
Tatar further contended that this EU decision “aligns with the political aims of the Greek Cypriot side and deviates from neutrality. The genuine will of the Turkish Cypriot populace has been entirely overlooked in this matter. As such, this appointment aimed at bolstering the Greek Cypriot stance bears no relevance or obligation for us.”
He added that the process surrounding the six initiatives agreed upon in Geneva continues under the guidance of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Olegin. “Any initiative pursued outside of this collaborative process, predicated on equal consensus between the parties, will impede cooperation efforts. The EU is not part of this process and cannot factor into any solution relating to the Cyprus issue without our consent.”
“Thus, I assert clearly: This appointment is a matter internal to the EU. There will be no contact or discussions regarding this appointment.”
Tatar emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot community is firmly advocating for a solution grounded in sovereign equality and equal international status. “We will not accept any approach that is exclusive, unilateral, or based on fait accompli,” he concluded.
This morning, Johannes Hahn met with President Christodoulides and expressed his desire to meet with Ersin Tatar as well.
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