Fidan calls on Turkic states to stand united for the TRNC

Official Ankara continues to urge Turkic states not to isolate the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and to collectively oppose the injustices faced by the island’s Turkish community. This message was reiterated on May 21 during the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting held ahead of the Informal Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Turkic States in Budapest.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who participated in the meeting, emphasized that standing in solidarity against the unjust and inhumane isolation of Turkish Cypriots is a shared responsibility. He reminded that the TRNC, accepted as an observer member at the 2022 Samarkand Summit, is an inseparable part of the Turkic family.

Fidan expressed his appreciation for the fact that, for the first time, the summit was hosted by a state with observer status. He noted that the Turkic world is strengthening regional cooperation at a time when the international system has failed to ensure peace, stability, and justice.

Addressing other regional issues, Fidan reaffirmed the unified support of Turkic states for Azerbaijan in the post-Karabakh conflict process. He also condemned the use of hunger as a weapon against civilians in Palestine and the forced deportations of Palestinians, calling on the international community to take decisive action against Israel to ensure peace and stability in the region.

The Turkish foreign minister also commented on the situation in Syria. He stated that the Syrian administration's recent engagements with regional and international actors, along with Turkey’s diplomatic efforts to lift sanctions, have begun to show tangible results. In this context, he underlined the importance of support from members of the Organization of Turkic States.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Fidan voiced hope that the conflict was nearing a diplomatic resolution. He expressed optimism that the talks held in Istanbul would help pave the way for a comprehensive ceasefire and a fair, lasting peace.

Recognizing the collective will of all participating states to deepen cooperation, Fidan concluded by expressing his hope that the outcomes of the ministerial meeting and the summit would further advance the integration of the Turkic world.

The meeting was hosted by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and attended by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, and Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanichbek Omuraliev.

At the meeting, the following documents were signed:

- Decision “On the Appointment of the Executive Director of the Representative Office of the Organization of Turkic States in Hungary”;
- Decision “On Granting Observer Status to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Turkish Academy.”

It is worth noting that two observer members of the organization — Turkmenistan and the (unrecognized) Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus — did not attend the meeting.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Resolution 541 was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 18 November 1983 in response to the declaration of independence by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, announced on 15 November. The resolution received 13 votes in favor, with Pakistan voting against and Jordan abstaining. In the resolution, the UN called on all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus and not to recognize any government on the island other than the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

Following this, Resolution 550 was adopted on 11 May 1984 with the same vote count. In this resolution, the Security Council stated:

“Condemns all separatist actions, including the so-called exchange of ambassadors between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, declares them illegal and invalid, and calls on them to immediately abandon them; calls once again on all states not to recognize the so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ established as a result of separatist actions, not to cooperate, and not to provide any assistance to the aforementioned separatist structure; calls on all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and non-alignment policy of the Republic of Cyprus; considers any attempt to settle any part of Varosha by non-residents unacceptable and calls on the transfer of this territory to the United Nations administration.”

As a result of these two resolutions, no state other than Turkey has officially recognized the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.