Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday emphasized that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is an inseparable part of the Turkic world.
Speaking at the first meeting of the Turkic States Parliamentary Assembly (TÜRKPA) National Defense Commission Chairpersons held in Ankara, Fidan highlighted the importance of the TRNC’s participation in and proper representation at the Organization of Turkic States events in the future.
The first meeting of the Turkic States Parliamentary Assembly (TÜRKPA) National Defense Commission Chairpersons was held in Ankara. The event saw participation from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), with Yasemin Öztürk, Chairperson of the Committee on Legal, Political, and Foreign Affairs of the TRNC Parliament, Deputy Chair Ongun Talat, and Committee Member Hasan Küçük in attendance.
Addressing the meeting, Öztürk said that they were striving to overcome the destructive effects of the inhumane political, economic, and other sanctions imposed on the TRNC with the unwavering support of the Republic of Türkiye in every field.
She pointed out the defense expenditures of the Greek Cypriot side and its alliances with countries like the United States and Israel, asserting that the TRNC is not alone in defense matters due to its cooperation with Türkiye and other Turkic states.
Hulusi Akar, Chairperson of the National Defense Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly also touched upon the Cyprus issue in his speech.
“Cyprus is our national cause,” Akar said, expressing the desire to strengthen relations in areas such as sports, culture, education, and tourism to alleviate the inhumane and unjust isolation faced by the Turkish Cypriots.
He called for the establishment of friendship groups with the TRNC Parliament and urged for support in initiating direct trade and flights with the TRNC and conducting direct contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leadership.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in his speech, assessed the position of the TRNC within the Turkic world.
Emphasizing that the TRNC is an integral part of the Turkic world, Fidan noted, “The TRNC’s participation as an observer member with its constitutional name in the Organization of Turkic States in 2022, and in TÜRKPA in 2023, has brought us a step closer to encompassing our family council as it should be in the Turkic world.”
He underlined the importance of the TRNC’s participation in future events of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and proper representation, expressing their satisfaction in supporting the unity of the Turkic world.brt
