Turkish Cypriot leadership insists on “cooperation” proposals

Turkish Cypriot Special Representative Ergün Olgun emphasized the importance of the 4-point cooperation proposals presented by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to the Greek Cypriot side.
"These proposals have been prepared for the welfare of both communities and have not been put forward just for the sake of it, they are serious. These proposals are designed to serve the common interest of all stakeholders in the region, and will also leave a mark," Olgun said.

Speaking to the Anatolian Agency (AA) Olgun evaluated the cooperation proposals presented by the Cyprus Turkish leader Ersin Tatar via the United Nations (UN) to the Greek Cypriot side which consisted of issues including hydrocarbon, electricity, renewable energy and water.

Stating that Tatar's proposals for cooperation are based on two axes, Olgun emphasized that the main axis was to solve the underlying cause of the Cyprus problem and find a sustainable solution adding that the solution to be found must be based on equal rights of both communities on the island.

Pointing to the main cause of the Cyprus issue, Olgun said that this was due to the Greek Cypriot side perceiving the island as "Hellenic Island" and disregarding the legitimate and vested rights of the Turkish Cypriot side.

It is of utmost importance for the vested rights of all parties to be respected, Olgun said otherwise the Cyprus problem will continue.

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot side had not changed its vision and continued to act as if it was the sole owner of the island, Olgun noted that this was the reason that power-sharing efforts made to date could not yield any results.