"The Cyprus Issue is a Common Cause for Turkey and Turkish States," Says Ertuğruloğlu

Speaking at the unofficial meeting of foreign ministers of the Turkic Council member and observer states, Ertuğruloğlu said, "Addressing you at the unofficial meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council of the Turkic Council is an honor for me," and conveyed the warmest greetings of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) people and government.

Ertuğruloğlu stated that they fully supported the Turkic Council's applications for observer status in the United Nations General Assembly and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and emphasized that they believed that establishing institutional ties between the Turkic Council, a relatively young international organization, and other international organizations would be beneficial. He also expressed their readiness to contribute in every possible way to achieve this goal.

"We attach great importance to our observer membership in the Turkic Council and consider it highly important to develop bilateral relations with member states," said Ertuğruloğlu, adding that as Turkish states, they believe they have the strength, capability, and solidarity to overcome all obstacles faced by the Turkish people.

Ertuğruloğlu mentioned that they are working to overcome the inhumane and illegal isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people, thanks to the continuous support provided by the Republic of Turkey in all areas. He expressed gratitude to the Turkic Council Secretariat and member countries for their solidarity with the cause of the Turkish Cypriot people.

However, he stressed that there is still much to be done due to the ongoing difficulties experienced by the Turkish Cypriot people as a result of isolation.

Ertuğruloğlu continued his speech by stating that there are two separate states represented by two separate peoples on the island of Cyprus. He emphasized that the reality in Cyprus is the existence of two states on one island and that Cyprus is not the name of a single country. He pointed out that the TRNC is the state of the Turkish Cypriot people, while the so-called "Republic of Cyprus" represents the Greek Cypriot side.

He underlined that the only way to reach a sustainable agreement on the island of Cyprus is to accept the fact that there are two states on the island, each with equal sovereignty and equal international status. This is essential to start negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side.

Ertuğruloğlu also referred to the speech made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he called on the international community to recognize the independence of the TRNC and establish diplomatic, political, and economic relations with it. Ertuğruloğlu expressed his sincere gratitude to President Erdoğan for his valuable support to the Turkish Cypriot people.

In conclusion, Ertuğruloğlu expressed the readiness of the TRNC to host future activities of the Turkic Council and stated that this step would demonstrate solidarity with their Muslim brothers and sisters in the TRNC.

Source: TAK