in-cyprus 4 July 2025 - by Andreas Bimbishis
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has acknowledged his limited decision-making authority in key areas during meetings with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, admitting he is unable to make decisions on issues such as checkpoints between the island’s divided communities.
According to details that emerged from a National Council briefing on Wednesday, Tatar admitted during meetings on 2 April and 5 May that he lacks authority to make decisions regarding checkpoints along the UN buffer zone.
During the April discussion, when crossing points were raised, Tatar told President Christodoulides that decisions on crossing points belong to the military and not to him, sources said.
At their second meeting a month later, the Turkish Cypriot leader repeated that such decisions were not his to make.
Relationship with Erdogan
Even more revealing about Tatar’s role was his description of his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the 5 May meeting.
When President Christodoulides sought to understand Erdogan’s positions on issues under discussion, the Turkish Cypriot leader said he had not asked Erdogan anything regarding Cyprus. He then made a particularly revealing comment: “You don’t ask Erdogan. You answer”.
Impact on Cyprus problem negotiations
Tatar’s apparent inability to make decisions on aspects related to the Cyprus problem solution efforts limits possibilities for achieving substantial progress, a development that complicates moves by the UN Secretary-General and significantly reduces chances of progress during the upcoming informal five-party conference scheduled for 16-17 July in New York.
According to philenews sources, the United Nations indirectly or directly acknowledges that as long as Tatar leads the Turkish Cypriot community, progress on Cyprus will be difficult. The international organisation is therefore placing particular emphasis on Turkey and factors that could push it to make moves on Cyprus.
Erdogan’s demands revealed
Details also emerged about exchanges between French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Erdogan during a NATO summit meeting, as relayed to President Christodoulides by the French leader.
Erdogan reportedly told Macron he wanted to bring Turkey closer to Europe. When the French president indicated that Cyprus would remain an issue even if all technical matters were resolved, Erdogan appeared ready to solve it but made unusual demands.
The Turkish president suggested removing Cyprus from UN oversight and allowing Turkey to remain in Cyprus. Macron reportedly responded that Cyprus could not be removed from UN oversight and asked what exactly Erdogan meant by “Turkey remaining in Cyprus,” without receiving an answer.
UN envoy visits
UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy María Ángela Holguín travelled to Paris for contacts with officials on Wednesday, focusing on France’s role as a permanent UN Security Council member and as a major EU state. She will meet relevant directors in the French government and an adviser to Macron on Turkey.
Her meetings in Brussels and Paris demonstrate that EU-Turkey relations and their potential impact on Cyprus remain on the agenda for the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy.
Holguín is expected in Cyprus on Sunday and will meet President Christodoulides at 11am on Monday, followed by a meeting with Tatar.
Nicosia’s objectives
Government spokesman told political correspondents after the National Council session that discussions continue on six thematic areas that all parties agreed upon at March’s multilateral conference, with the goal of making progress possible on all fronts.
“The stance the other side maintains is known, particularly on crossing points. Where there are suggestions, these are of course welcome. We will continue to be equally constructive, as we proved in the previous period,” he said.
National Council statement
The National Council was briefed by the President on latest Cyprus developments and preparations for the upcoming multilateral conference on 16-17 July in New York.
The National Council, supporting President Christodoulides’s efforts and noting his departure for New York amid commemoration events, will maintain constant coordination. A special National Council session will be convened via teleconference during the President’s stay in New York.
The President will maintain continuous communication with National Council members until his departure.
