Ersin Tatar

Holguin to meet Disy leader

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Holguin to meet Disy leader

UN Secretary General’s personal envoy Maria Holguin is on her second visit to Cyprus, where she will continue her meetings. She is scheduled to meet with the head and members of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nicosia and with Disy party leader Annita Demetriou. President Nikos Christodoulides mentioned a forthcoming meeting with Holguin and expressed willingness to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in Holguin’s presence. Holguin was appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in January to explore restarting Cyprus talks and has met with the leaders of both communities and the guarantor powers.

UN Envoy continues assessment over potential new negotiations

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UN Envoy continues assessment over potential new negotiations

Maria Angela Holguín Cuéllar, the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, is in Cyprus to gather assessments on the failure of the talks in Crans Montana and to understand the positions of various political forces regarding the future of negotiations in Cyprus. During her meetings with leaders from both sides of the divide and party leaders, Holguín has emphasized not rushing into negotiations without sufficient momentum and has sought to understand each side’s desires and perceived responsibilities of the other side. She has indicated a preference for focusing on the present rather than past failures. Various political leaders have expressed their views to Holguín, ranging from skepticism about the potential for confidence-building measures to contribute positively, to differing perspectives on the future of negotiations and the possibility of a federation. The National Unity Party in the occupied territories has stated that the chapter of federation is closed, while the Republican Turkish Party supports efforts to create common ground for resuming official negotiations and seeks a comprehensive solution based on political equality.

British bases a threat to Turkey, Tatar argues

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British bases a threat to Turkey, Tatar argues

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has expressed concerns about the presence of British military bases in Cyprus, viewing them as a threat to Turkey and the occupied territories of Cyprus. In an interview, he highlighted Cyprus’s strategic location, the economic potential of the occupied territories, and announced the concession of Lefkoniko airport to the Turkish Armed Forces to counter external threats. Tatar emphasized the importance of this for Turkey’s security and the interests of the occupying administration, and expressed concerns over escalating Mediterranean tensions and the potential complications from activities of British aircraft deployed from the bases on the island.

Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

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Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

The scandal involving “fake diplomas” in the north’s education sector continues to unfold, focusing on UBP MP Emrah Yesilirmak and the authenticity of his business administration degree from Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU). MPs in the north have immunity from criminal proceedings with certain exceptions, but this does not prevent investigations. The Cyprus Massachusetts Centre of Innovation is linked to a criminal network involving forged student visas, leading to several arrests. The north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak)’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, takes charge amid criminal proceedings against its chairman, Turgay Avci, and former board member Mehmet Hasguler, both arrested for accepting under-the-table payments during KSTU’s accreditation process. Senior judge Gokhan Asafogullari is investigating Avci’s conduct.

Christodoulides to meet UN envoy Holguin

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Christodoulides to meet UN envoy Holguin

President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus is scheduled to meet with Maria Holguin, the UN Secretary General’s personal envoy, to discuss specific issues and receive updates. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos emphasized that any discussions with the Turkish Cypriot side would remain within the UN framework. Christodoulides mentioned that Holguin’s visit, which is expected to last about a week to ten days, will not be limited to a single meeting. Holguin is also set to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. The president expressed hope for positive developments towards resuming talks, following discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Holguin’s other contacts, including in Brussels.

Tatar moves to fire education chief

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Tatar moves to fire education chief

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar filed a case to have Turgay Avci, the head of the higher education committee (Yodak), fired. Tatar received complaints regarding not firing Avci, who is a former ‘education minister’. The dismissal of Avci is contingent upon an evaluation by the ‘court’, according to the ‘law’ on higher education. This action follows allegations against Avci related to the Cyprus University of Health and Social Sciences in occupied Morphou. Avci, facing these allegations, gave a statement to the police and was hospitalized in northern Nicosia due to hand pain. He was taken to court over allegations of fraudulently obtaining 926,286TL (€27,451) through 19 invoices from six different companies.

Unficyp , ‘continues to injustice Turkish Cypriot people’

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Unficyp , ‘continues to injustice Turkish Cypriot people’

The Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, criticized the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (Unficyp) for allegedly being biased against the Turkish Cypriot people and acting under the influence of the Greek Cypriots. He mentioned that construction on a road through the buffer zone between Pyla and Arsos was halted due to the influence of Greece. Tatar also demanded that Unficyp sign a Status of Forces agreement with the authorities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to operate there.

President comments on Cyprus Problem, Tatar’s statements

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President comments on Cyprus Problem, Tatar’s statements

President Christodoulides made statements regarding the Cyprus issue, sending messages to various parties including N. Papadopoulos, Ersin Tatar, and others involved in the Cyprus issue. He emphasized that any ideas processed by the Republic of Cyprus, especially concerning Euro-Turkish relations, cannot include sovereignty equality, which he stated is not up for discussion. Christodoulides mentioned that everyone will be judged by the outcome of their actions and highlighted the Greek Cypriot side’s clear goals and expectations from the mission of Maria Angela Holguín Cuéllar, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy. He announced an upcoming meeting on March 11 following Holguín’s visits to London, Turkey, and possibly Brussels. Christodoulides also expressed a desire for more active involvement from Turkey in resolving the Cyprus issue and noted the importance of the international community’s role. He denied any new developments related to the energy issue following the Turkish President’s visit to Egypt, stating that resolving the Cyprus problem would strengthen prospects but there is nothing specific at the moment.

UNSG envoy , ‘ready to contribute’ to talks restart

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UNSG envoy , ‘ready to contribute’ to talks restart

Maria Angela Holguín Cuéllar, the UN Secretary General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, has expressed her readiness to contribute to the resumption of peace talks on the island. She met with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, expressing enthusiasm for her mission and stating her intention to listen to the people and understand their needs. Cuéllar aims to recruit a collaborator with a permanent presence in Cyprus and will hold meetings with members of civil society to better understand the Cyprus problem. She will also have another meeting with President Christodoulides before leaving the island.

UN SG envoy, ’s arrival marks new movement

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UN SG envoy, ’s arrival marks new movement

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, has arrived in Cyprus. The government is hopeful that her arrival marks the beginning of a new period of progress on the Cyprus problem. Holguin is being briefed by UN Special Representative Colin Stewart before meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. The government spokesperson stated that they are determined to contribute to the conditions necessary for the resumption of negotiations. Confidence-building measures have also been announced, including granting citizenship to the children of a Turkish Cypriot and a Turkish parent. This is Holguin’s first visit to the island since her appointment.