Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz reaffirmed Turkey’s support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to become a full member of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will soon take its place as a full member of our family council, the Organization of Turkish States. We believe in it and hope for it,” Yılmaz told reporters before meeting the President of the TRNC, Ersin Tatar, in Ankara.

“As the Turkish world embraces the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots, our unity and solidarity will become even stronger,” he added. He expressed optimism about the future integration of the TRNC into the regional group, reiterating Ankara’s commitment to supporting its sovereignty and stability. Founded in 2009, the OTS includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as full members, while Hungary, Turkmenistan and the TRNC are observers. promotes commercial, political, cultural and security cooperation between Turkish-speaking countries.

Regarding the economic and financial cooperation agreement between Turkey and the TRNC, he said that this agreement is one of the most concrete indicators of cooperation. Ankara’s main goal is to ensure that the Turkish Cypriot community prospers and grows stronger, building on a solid economic base, he said, adding: “We are implementing many joint projects to ensure the development and strengthening of the TRNC, with the aim of creating a strong community and “We strive to support the development of the TRNC by increasing its prosperity through access to public services, infrastructure, health care and quality social services.” The Turkish politician stressed that a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue was a priority. for Ankara, that which guarantees the legitimacy The rights and security of Turkish Cypriots. He said international recognition of the TRNC, as well as the establishment of diplomatic, political and economic ties, are essential to achieving peace on the island. “A solution to the Cyprus question will not only bring peace. to the Turkish Cypriots, but will also contribute to regional stability and prosperity,” Yilmaz said.

Cyprus has been mired in a dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for decades, despite a series of diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement. Ethnic attacks that began in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to retreat into enclaves for safety. In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece’s annexation of the island led to Turkey’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, the TRNC was founded in 1983. July 20, the anniversary of the operation, is celebrated annually in the TRNC as Peace and Freedom Day. The Greek Cypriot administration was admitted to the EU in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots thwarted a UN plan to end a long-running conflict. Turkey fully supports a two-state solution on the island of Cyprus, based on sovereign equality and equal international status.

The Sabah Daily News Bulletin

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