Ertuğruloğlu: The Reality on the Island of Cyprus Is One Island, Two States

Speaking at the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held in Ankara as part of the 13th Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu said their position on the Cyprus issue was clear, stressing their commitment to an agreement based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of two separate states.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting was held at the Presidential Complex under the hosting of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

“THE TRNC IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TURKIC WORLD”

Speaking at the meeting, held under the theme “The Century of the Turkic World: Unity in Language, Thought and Action” on the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, Ertuğruloğlu emphasised that the TRNC was an integral part of the Turkic world.

Stating that they were honoured to attend the meeting as an observer member of the OTS, Ertuğruloğlu thanked the organisation for the support, solidarity and cooperation extended to the TRNC to date.

Ertuğruloğlu said the TRNC regarded playing an active role in the shared future of the Turkic world and contributing to this vision as a common responsibility, highlighting the importance of strengthening political and economic cooperation.

“WE EXPECT THE SUPPORT OF OUR BROTHERLY COUNTRIES”

Stating that the TRNC had continued its efforts towards institutional integration within the OTS since the Samarkand Summit in November 2022, Ertuğruloğlu said cooperation had been developed with organisations such as the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Turkic Academy and the Union of Turkic Universities.

Recalling that the TRNC hosted the 17th Meeting of the Council of Elders of the OTS in May 2025, Ertuğruloğlu said cooperation between universities and scientific institutions also demonstrated their shared potential.

Ertuğruloğlu said they expected the support of brotherly countries in developing lasting and institutional ties with the Turkic world.

Stating that the OTS was not merely a platform bringing together a common language, history and culture, Ertuğruloğlu said the organisation provided an important basis for solidarity by strengthening the ties between the Turkish Cypriot people and the Turkic world and contributing to cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, education and culture.

Emphasising that increasing the TRNC’s visibility and effective participation within the organisation would strengthen the Turkic world as a whole, Ertuğruloğlu also drew attention to the isolation and restrictions faced by the Turkish Cypriot people internationally.

He stressed the importance of solidarity within the OTS to ensure that young people, athletes, artists, academics and businesspeople did not face obstacles in the international arena.

“OUR POSITION ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE IS VERY CLEAR”

Reiterating his vision of a two-state solution to the Cyprus issue, Ertuğruloğlu said they had withdrawn their agreement to the federal model in 2021 due to what he described as the Greek Cypriot side’s uncompromising stance and maximalist demands.

Arguing that a lasting and sustainable agreement on the island could not be achieved through approaches that disregarded the will and rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, Ertuğruloğlu said:

“As the Turkish Cypriot side, in line with the policy we have jointly determined with our Motherland, the Republic of Turkey, we remain committed to an agreement to be built on the basis of the sovereign equality and equal international status of two separate states.”

Stating that there were two peoples on the island with different national identities, languages and religions, Ertuğruloğlu said they would continue their efforts to reaffirm the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and ensure that they secured their rightful place internationally.

Recalling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s calls at the United Nations General Assembly for the recognition of the TRNC and the establishment of relations with it in all fields, Ertuğruloğlu urged OTS member countries to take concrete steps in line with these calls.

Arguing that these calls were important for achieving a just and lasting agreement on the island, Ertuğruloğlu invited summit participants to take steps in this direction to contribute to regional peace.

Addressing developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ertuğruloğlu said that disputes over energy and maritime jurisdiction areas should be approached through respect for international law, dialogue and good-neighbourly relations rather than unilateral actions.

Stating that regional conflicts and risks to maritime transport security demonstrated how fragile stability remained, Ertuğruloğlu said the use of energy and natural resources for the benefit of all peoples in the region presented an opportunity for peace and prosperity.

Ertuğruloğlu said the TRNC was ready to contribute to preserving regional stability and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation initiatives, highlighting the importance of developing joint projects in education, trade, transport, tourism and youth affairs.

At the end of his speech, Ertuğruloğlu congratulated Turkey on assuming the OTS chairmanship and thanked Turkish officials and the OTS Secretariat for hosting the meeting.

Following the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted a luncheon in honour of the delegations.