A formal process on the Cyprus problem can only begin with the confirmation of sovereign equality and equal international status, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said on Wednesday during a press conference.

A day after a dinner in New York with President Nikos Christodoulides and UNSG Antonio Guterres, he said it had become clear after 50 years that talks on the basis of a federation had not yielded any results.

“Of course, don’t expect high hopes for the Cyprus problem after a dinner,” he told reporters, adding that there was a step was taken at the dinner and a broader meeting will be held where Turkey will also participate.

On the UK’s participation in the wider meeting, he said they wanted a 4+1 meeting.

Tatar added that during the meeting “I stressed our new policy. A formal process can only begin once out sovereign equality and equal international status.”

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, it was reported on Wednesday.

Diplomatic sources quoted by Turkish media said that during the phone call the latest situation in Lebanon and Ukraine was assessed and developments regarding Cyprus were discussed.