Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, who is in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana for the 14th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TÜRKPA), was received by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev along with the other heads of parliamentary delegations.
Speaking during the meeting, Parliamentary Speaker Öztürkler underscored that the TRNC considers itself an inseparable part of the Turkic world and that its presence in Astana is a meaningful demonstration of this identity.
He described the hospitality extended by the Kazakh people as a strong reflection of the centuries-old spirit of solidarity among Turkic nations.
He also conveyed President Ersin Tatar’s greetings and expressed appreciation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş for their continued support in advancing the TRNC’s role within both the Organisation of Turkic States and TÜRKPA.
Öztürkler noted that the work carried out under the TÜRKPA framework contributes not only to institutional collaboration between parliaments but also to lasting friendships and productive cooperation among peoples. He reiterated the TRNC’s commitment to further strengthening these ties.
Before the General Assembly, Öztürkler also held a bilateral meeting with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan. The meeting was also attended by Azerbaijani MP Cevanşir Feyziyev, Head of the Azerbaijan–TRNC Friendship Group, as well as several other parliamentarians.
Discussions focused on political, cultural, and historical cooperation, inter-parliamentary ties, and coordinated efforts within the Turkic world.
Öztürkler expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s unwavering support for the Turkish Cypriot people and highlighted the historical bonds and shared struggles between the two nations.
He emphasised that this alliance plays an essential role in shaping both regional and global dynamics.
Gafarova, for her part, welcomed the continued high-level dialogue and reaffirmed the importance of advancing parliamentary relations in the spirit of ongoing presidential-level cooperation. brt
