President Ersin Tatar evaluates the TRNC’s admission in the Organization of Turkic States as an “observer member

President Ersin Tatar has said that a “historic step” has been taken following the admission of the TRNC as an “observer member” in the Organisation of Turkic States.
The President, who was asked to evaluate the latest development which has attracted criticism from the Greek Cypriot side, has  made important statements on the matter in an interview with Anatolian News Agency (AA).

President Tatar stated: “We wholeheartedly welcome this historical step and this very significant historic development. After I was elected as President, I emphasised my new vision for sovereign equality and equal international status. The fact that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been admitted as a member of an international organisation under its own constitutional name, supports our vision and struggle for a two State settlement. This is a very important development.”

President Tatar said that the TRNC had previously been accepted into the Economic Cooperation Organisation and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation under a different name and status, adding:

“Following the Annan Plan, there was an understanding that the wing in the north would be named the Turkish Cypriot State, and the wing in the south would be named the Greek Cypriot State. . .that both wings would be under a federal roof.
However, today we have been admitted to the Organisation of Turkic States, which has greatly contributed to the political and sovereignty struggle of the TRNC. . .I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, as well as to the Turkish diplomacy who have been working hard to achieve this outcome. I would also like to express my gratitude to the heads of State and governments of all the member states who are supporting us,” the President stated.

President Tatar drew attention to the “intense diplomatic efforts” of the Republic of Türkiye for the formal recognition of the TRNC by the world, adding: “With the admission of the TRNC to the Organisation of Turkic States, a very important message has again been given to the whole world, which is that Turkish Cypriots are not alone. The State of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is gradually being accepted by the international community.”

President Tatar, who also called for an end to the inhuman isolation and restrictions imposed on the TRNC, said: “With this historic decision, our admission to the Organisation of Turkic States as an observer member under the name of the TRNC is indeed a phase which shows that that our political struggle is gaining momentum and strength.”