Tatar Meets with OIC Secretary-General Taha in New York

During the meeting at the United Nations Headquarters, Taha was accompanied by Deputy Secretary-General Yousef Mohammed A. Aldobeay, Director-General of Political Affairs Mohamed Salah Tekaya, and Director for Asian Affairs Ahmed Sareer. Also present were Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mustafa Lakadamyalı, New York Representative Mehmet Dana, Advisor Osman Ertuğ, and First Secretary Çağrı Kalfaoğlu.

According to a statement from the Presidency, President Tatar reminded Secretary-General Taha that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had been accepted as an observer member in the Organization of Turkic States with its constitutional name but was represented as the "Turkish Republic of Cyprus" in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as per the Annan Plan.

Therefore, President Tatar expressed their wish to be represented as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as well.

President Tatar explained the current situation in the Cyprus issue and the position of the Turkish Cypriot side, emphasizing the right of Turkish Cypriots, who have been living in Cyprus for nearly 5 centuries, to self-determination, and expressed the expectation of concrete support from the Islamic world.

In addition, President Tatar stated that they could implement mutually beneficial projects in the fields of culture, social issues, economy, and sports with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its member states.

During the meeting, they expressed regret for not being able to participate in the Islamic Solidarity Games held in Konya in 2022 and conveyed the desire for Turkish Cypriot athletes to participate in future editions of the games.

President Tatar expressed concern about the increasing Islamophobia in Europe and strongly condemned incidents like the burning of the Quran, especially in countries like Denmark and Sweden.

Highlighting that there are many higher education institutions in Northern Cyprus providing education at a global level, President Tatar expressed his desire to see more students from Organization of Islamic Cooperation member countries attending these institutions. He also expressed that they would be pleased to welcome tourists from member countries.

President Tatar emphasized the significance of Cyprus Island in terms of the Islamic religion and invited Secretary-General Taha to visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to observe Islamic works on the island and to show the support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the Turkish Cypriot people.