Turkish Cypriots’ President Tatar addresses the new UN representative in advance…

Allegations that there has been an intensive sale of land in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to foreigners, especially Israel, have caused controversy. We asked TRNC President Ersin Tatar about these allegations, the steps taken by the TRNC towards recognition and what it means for Russia to open a consulate in the country. Besides, President Tarar addressed the new UN Cyprus Representative Cuéllar saying “no negotiations unless TRNC is not recognized as a sovereign equal state.”

‘Speculations are just rumors’

There were different news stories both in Türkiye and in the Cypriot press about the amount of land and real estate that Israelis or people of Israeli origin who acquired TRNC citizenship are said to have. Simultaneously with these allegations, the Israeli Prime Ministry also claimed that some terrorist elements were trained in the TRNC and that assassinations against Jews in the country were prevented by MOSSAD agents. What would you say when you evaluate these two claims simultaneously?

There is some very mixed news coming out today. Of course, we look at what institutions and organizations say. So, speculations are just rumors. I also ask my own institutions. According to the information my security affairs commander gave me, there is absolutely no operation related to such terrorist organizations. Both statements made by Israel and the statement made by others; none of these has anything to do with reality. This is the state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This state has its own units; there is the police, there is the security forces command. Those have all kinds of precautions. We can take any precautions immediately if anything. Therefore, I never think that there is a problem with our security. Here we not only have our own police and security forces, but also the Republic of Türkiye has a corps called the Cyprus Peace Forces. All these units maintain our trust. Therefore, no one should take the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus lightly. Our laws here are clear and unambiguous. A foreigner can buy a house or a decare of land after passing a security investigation and with the decision of the council of ministers. Allegations here are that Jewish companies, in particular, purchased large acres of land from the owners through contracts, through some people -maybe lawyers or others. Our Minister of Internal Affairs, our police and prosecutor’s office are investigating this claim. Because this is not legal. The most important thing, I repeat, is that it is subject to security investigation. All kinds of security clearance are processed, and if approval is received, this property can be registered in the title deed by the decision of the ministry. But there is this: First of all, there are many Jews living in the Republic of Türkiye, our dear brothers, there are very valuable people who have great reputation and do business in the Republic of Türkiye.

What is happening in Gaza now is a human tragedy. Such a thing should never have happened in this age and we have always condemned it. Yet, it is not okay in my conscience to blame the atrocities committed by Israel on Palestine on the entire Jewish community living in the Republic of Türkiye. Because these people are citizens of the Republic of Türkiye and there may be people from some different countries who invest here. Because this Jewish community, Jews, live all over the world. They are not just in Israel; There are both in America and in England.

According to my information, Jewish citizens are definitely not in the first place as a foreign presence in our country. You can ask this to real estate agents, contractors, or the public. Who will be first in line? Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye. Who will be second? According to what I see and the information I get from my contacts on the street, it would be Iranians. After that, the Kazakhs come, then the Russians. Because after the Ukrainian war, many Russians came here and went to the north from Southern Cyprus. Because there are definitely 100,000 Russian citizens in Southern Cyprus. There are at least that many British citizens. There is also a large population from other countries. Because it is a European Union state and they prefer the economic and social opportunities in the European Union state. There is no limit to who owns property there. I say it loud and clear: 100,000 Russian citizens and 100,000 British citizens have homes and places in Southern Cyprus. And of course, from all other countries, about 100 thousands of them are in Southern Cyprus, a European state. There are investments made there from the outside world and everyone accepts this there. They say, “These people constitute a resource for our economy.” Therefore, there is a mentality in the south that says “this foreigner will come and buy it, this foreigner will live here, money will come into Cyprus”. As you know, after the Ukrainian War, Southern Cyprus was forced to obey the Russians because it was in the European Union and the European Union imposed harsh sanctions on Russia. Russia and Southern Cyprus have Orthodox family ties; Despite this, they fell out. Russians were greatly disturbed by the treatment they received in Southern Cyprus. A large number of Russians therefore moved to the north. They live here now. This is the history of the matter.

Of course, we are sensitive and our government is investigating this by asking “I wonder if someone is buying too much property under contract?” and “where is this going?” As the president, I am constantly trying to get information from our police, our security forces commander, our Minister of Internal Affairs and the authorities. But I have never come across any exaggerated statements such as “so many Jews have invested so much here” or “this place is in danger”.

Actually, I feel sorry for him because if all these speculations are not true as claimed, Cyprus will suffer from this. Because Cyprus is a sensitive point. For years, no one came to Cyprus as a foreigner. Now, especially after the Ukrainian War, there has been tremendous interest. These houses, places, lands and residences started to be sold. This is the entry of a great resource into the economy. Everyone, the opposition and the government, accepts this. All of these investments are very valuable. I wish I could see more Turkish citizens come here and buy houses and settle down. There are also people who come, but when we look at the numbers, the numbers I just listed and the interest of different nationalities here have created discomfort. Because my citizen asked this question: “Where is this going?” Therefore, the state will follow up on this matter. We will see if this business is harming us, then a decision of the Council of Ministers can stop all this. But right now, we don’t have the luxury of stopping this because we need support, we need resources. In order to avoid any danger in the future, we will and cannot allow the existence of some polarizations and structures that are far from the Turkish Cypriots but are like their own colonies. I don’t see any such dangers anyway.

Well, you said, “We are monitoring it, the numbers I have do not say that.” After the citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, what do the numbers you have say? Which country buys property here most?

As far as I can see, there are Iranians, Kazakhs, British, Russians and Ukrainians in the first place. The contribution of those coming from Türkiye to us is both economic and social. It is very important for all kinds of relationships. For this reason, I once again hope that our brothers and citizens in Türkiye will direct all kinds of building, housing and land investments, whether summer residences or investments, to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

When we take into consideration the fact that there are some restrictions in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, especially embargoes and isolations, all these relations and contacts become even more important.

You just mentioned that the population of Russian citizens on the island is increasing. This situation was talked about a lot in Türkiye as well. When it was said that “Russia will provide consular services in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, everyone got excited. Questions were raised such as “Is this step a step towards recognition, a green light, or is Russia winking?” There were also those who evaluated it hopeful. We received different statements on this issue. For example, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu said that this was a step taken by the Russians to facilitate the affairs of their own citizens. Some of your special advisors saw this more positively and interpreted it as Russia taking a step forward. How do you look at it?

I consider it reflected positively. Because this consular service is a positive development. No one should take this lightly, no one should underestimate it. There are two factors here. One of them is the discomfort felt by some Russians in Southern Cyprus after the Russia-Ukraine War. Because Southern Cyprus is a European state, there are some blockades, serious actions and measures that they impose on Russian citizens very unfairly. Some of them felt uncomfortable and moved to the north. I know that many Russians moved here after the start of the Ukrainian War. They would pass by, do their daily work, and then return. Some of them chose to settle here instead of going back and forth. This is important because, after all, there is a state called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. There is an authority here. There is an order here. And frankly, I see that people greet this with respect. Russia taking such a step actually means a lot. In other words, there are very important and deep ties between Russia and Southern Cyprus. Because they are Orthodox. In particular, Southern Cyprus, Serbia, Greece and Russia are the four main Orthodox countries. This (unfair treatment) happened even though they have Orthodox ties with Russia and despite the fact that the Russians have been supporting the Southern Cyprus economy tremendously for years, despite the fact that the Russian oligarchs’ money is seriously in the Southern Cyprus banks, that is, in the European Union… They cannot deny this. Papadopoulos, later Anastasiades, they all had law offices. These Presidents were lawyers and their law offices even gave them (Russians) citizenship, so long as they could invest in Southern Cyprus. So, this investment issue is such a serious issue.

For years, they have never made such investments here (TRNC) because they did not recognize the Turkish people of Northern Cyprus, because they did not trust here, because they did not know what Türkiye’s policy would be like here, because they were not sure, and because they were afraid that “anything could happen at any time”. They always went to Southern Cyprus and other places. Now, after the Ukrainian War, such a conjuncture occurred… After my presidency, with my “two states” discourse and Türkiye’s full support for this policy, this policy became stronger. As this policy became stronger, trust in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus increased. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will live forever. Even if there is an agreement, it will be a part of that agreement. Therefore, with the understanding that “TRNC has a bright future”, people started to buy property from here. The rate has actually increased in the last 34 years.

Of course, we do not find it right for people from the same nation to cluster together as such a bloc. I feel uncomfortable. But according to the information I received, some lands is bought building these constructions on these lands, and then selling them as residences in hundreds or even thousands. But as I said, they will undergo a security investigation. With the decision of the Council of Ministers, they can purchase one house or at most one decare. In those big apartment buildings, obviously a foreigner can buy one flat but not more. Therefore, when he looks at that great structure, “one day they will all wake up and make an attempt against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”: There is no such world. I’ve been seeing those apartments and tall buildings both in Iskele and around Famagusta lately. There could be people from all different nationalities there. All of them respect TRNC and come and buy property and invest here, buy a house, go to the electricity company and register under their own name, go to the municipality and pay the property tax, go to the Ministry of Finance and pay the fee… All of these increase the prestige of the Turkish Northern Cypriot government. Therefore, when storytelling all these claims, of course, those who write are writing because they love this place and to protect this place, so that we can continue our existence here in peace, tranquility and security as a truly important and beautiful place. But I watched some exaggerated news with astonishment and I do not believe that they will bring any benefit to the Turkish government of Northern Cyprus. That’s why it would be beneficial to filter all these publications a bit.

We gained new information. At the TRNC Media forum organized by the Global Journalists Council, a bureaucrat in the committee that prepared the Prime Ministry’s 5th Development Plan gave the following information: “A model called lease-hold, which is also used in England, can be applied. Foreign citizens can buy property in TRNC, but not land. “They can buy a building, but even if they buy a building, they will have to pay rental fee to the person who owns the land.” Is this a concrete step or something that is being discussed? So, was this was put forward as a precaution?

It’s a debatable issue. There is a law in a matter. It has a constitution. It has rights, it has law. Who owns the property? What kind of savings will that owner make? Of course, it (the model) is a good thing. After all, the building above it has a lifespan. When the life of the building ends, after 100 years or 120 years, that land passes to the state, but whose land belonged to it in the first place? Lawyers will clarify these matters after examining this.

Former Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar will be appointed as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Cyprus. It is an only 6-month appointment. What kind of work will she do in such a short time? Will she submit a report? There is a view that the new representative’s sole duty is to seek grounds for negotiation. Do you agree with this? How do you view negotiations? Your doors are open to the two-state solution. This is a discourse that you support. But you say, “If this does not happen, we will continue our way independently as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” What kind of timetable do you have for the two-state solution and negotiation?

We have been giving this fight this way for years. They do not recognize us unfairly, but becoming a state does not necessarily mean recognition. To become a state; we need land, we have it. A nation is needed, there is. You need history, we have. Democracy is needed, it exists. Also, another country needs to recognize you. That country is the Republic of Türkiye. Since the Republic of Türkiye recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the condition of statehood has been fully met. Rauf Denktaş even said, “Instead of 100 states recognizing me, let the Republic of Türkiye recognize me; it’s better for me.” We are an independent state with all its institutions and organizations, and we deserve this state. Because there is a nation here. These people have the right to self-government. A system is needed, and that is the state and the republic. What we are trying to do, now, is to maintain student flow in a healthier way and to ensure that more qualified students from many different countries come here. There are currently students from 144 different countries. Hopefully this can increase even more, but quality is also important. The other important issue is tourism. That’s why people from hundreds of different countries come and go here for tourism purposes. Our exports and imports take place with hundreds of different countries. Remittances, transfers and letters of credit are made for all these. Transfers are made through the bank, goods arrive, services arrive. Now, all this shows that this state is being accepted at some point or another. Of course, this shows that it is recognized accordingly. However, the UN must decide that they recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. That resolution is not passed. Because, unfortunately, the states in the UN Security Council look at the world differently. They do not respond as positively to our understanding of democracy as we would like. They keep us in the refrigerator and hope that the conjuncture here will change against us and that we will swear allegiance to them and fall prey to the Greek Cypriots.

What will the UN Special Representative for Cyprus do in 6 months?

Is there a basis for meeting in 6 months or not? Will look into this. She will check our pulse. She will make these speeches both with the guarantor countries, with us and with Southern Cyprus. Because after all, someone has to intervene and talk. For us, the initiation of the negotiation process requires the acceptance of our sovereign equality and equal national status position. If she does not accept these, we will not sit at that negotiating table. If there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, there will be cooperation between the two states. The UN may not recognize us now, but if it wants an agreement, it will. It will recognize and cooperate with me. If it doesn’t do this, there is no basis for agreement with me. So, we will ask this incoming former Colombian Foreign Minister, the lady who is currently appointed as special envoy, to confirm this. So, this is what I will tell her. “Look, the conditions have not been met. The other side is still trying to pull us into the federation. When we say federation, our Turkish State of Northern Cyprus disappears. Türkiye’s guarantorship ends. Turkish soldiers withdraw from the island. Because zero soldiers means zero guarantee.” It is not possible for us to say “yes” to these.

You are saying it in advance by actually announcing it to the press. You say, “If you will come to the negotiation with these conditions, do not come.”

She may come, she ay not come. It’s upon her. She will come, she will hear, she will go. If she doesn’t accept it, she will hear it and leave. I told this to the UN and the EU as well. I also told Southern Cyprus. I also told the British. I’m telling them all. Therefore, we have nothing to shy away from. Because Türkiye fully supports us in this regard.

Does Greece have a role in all what’s happening? Currently, Türkiye-Greece rapprochement and the Athens Declaration are being discussed a lot. Was the issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the table in Athens or not?

No, no. I talked to the highest level. First of all, the Cyprus issue is a different issue. Athens-Türkiye relations are between two great countries with their own economic, tourism, etc. It was a visit to make some breakthroughs and to give messages of friendship. There were also very important statements made during that visit. But when you look at the Cyprus issue, it is out of the question. Because there is a conflict here that has been going on for a century. There are some that were made during the British period. But, of course, the structure here is very important. Because ultimately, if peace, tranquility and security continue here in the Eastern Mediterranean, the balance is very important. In Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, but also Turkish-Greek balance have always played an important role. As a matter of fact, even in the Treaty of Lausanne signed in 1923, it is stated in Article 16 that if the day comes and England withdraws from the island, the Republic of Türkiye will definitely have the right to have a say in the future of the island. Even though this state was an independent Republic, it was accepted that Türkiye, as a guarantor country, had the right and law regarding the developments here. As a matter of fact, it happened. In 1974, soldiers set foot on the island and after 1974, the two-state policy in Cyprus was further strengthened. There are currently two separate states in Cyprus. This is actually a great success in 50 years. Indeed, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus provides a great service to the Eastern Mediterranean. What is this service? The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus plays a key role in establishing and maintaining peace, tranquility and political balance in the Eastern Mediterranean. If the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus did not exist and if Cyprus had turned into a Greek island with a unitary structure within the European Union, there could have been all kinds of conflicts that would have an extremely negative impact on Türkiye’s security. There is no conflict now. There is no possibility of war. For 50 years, everything in Cyprus has been peaceful and no one has had a nosebleed.

All your diplomatic efforts continue. The Republic of Türkiye’s attempts to help recognize the TRNC were reflected in President Erdoğan’s address at the United Nations. These are very important, but I would also like to ask you about media diplomacy. Because those who do not know the Turkish side, those who do not know the Turkish side, those who have not come here, recognize the island as the Republic of Cyprus founded by the Greeks and know it as such. In terms of media diplomacy, do you plan to increase projects such as this Forum organized by the Global Journalists Council? Do not only the countries and states of the world but also their people need to know you? How well-known are you? Do you have a strategy for this?

We are much better known than before because we are working hard. At the same time, the ambassadors and permanent representatives of the Republic of Türkiye everywhere are trying to explain the case of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus all over the world. World States know very well what is going on in Cyprus because they all have a position, an interest, an expectation and a responsibility here. There is much more awareness and recognition than before. It is the same in the Organization of Turkish States and in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Türkiye has relations with many states in Africa. There is always this axis there, wherever Türkiye is. In this way, Türkiye and we, One Heart, are trying to carry this out.