President Tatar: “The emphasis on our equal inherent rights in the Budapest Declaration of OTS is a significant step”

President Ersin Tatar issued a written statement where he welcomed the 21 May 2025 dated Budapest Declaration of the Informal Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), that was hosted by Hungary.

President Tatar stated that the references in the declaration to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an “inseparable part of the Turkic World, to the work of the OTS,” and the emphasis of “solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people as integral part of the Turkic World in their aspirations to secure their equal inherent rights,” is a “significant step and a turning point in the honourable struggle of the Turkish Cypriot People”.

The President added: “The reference with regards to the equal inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot People is not only a statement of support, but a clear indication that our vision for a settlement based on sovereign equality and equal international status has found a response at the regional level.”

President Tatar stated: “The declaration welcomes the contributions of Hungary, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in their capacity as Observers, as an inseparable part of the Turkic World, to the work of the OTS.  I also welcome the support expressed in the declaration to the need for a negotiated, mutually acceptable and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue based on existing realities on the Island.”

The President added: “Our absence from this Informal Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States cannot overshadow the importance and significance of the declaration. The Republic of Türkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has put forward the rightful struggle of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the highest level during the summit, where he stated that the family photo of the OTS shall be incomplete without the TRNC. The emphasis at the summit by Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, that the TRNC is an inseparable part of our family assembly, is also a diplomatic confirmation of this position.”

“As the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we express our gratitude to Motherland Türkiye, who stands by us under all circumstances and resolutely supports our just cause,” President Tatar said, adding: “The Republic of Türkiye, under the leadership of President Erdoğan, has defended the will of the Turkish Cypriot people in the strongest way, not only during this process but throughout history, by putting forward a principled position. The unwavering support of Türkiye is not only a guarantee for us, but also fundamentally important for regional justice and strategic balance.”

“We know that the hearts of every exceptional individual of the Turkic World are with us. This brotherhood is based on political determination and belief in a common future, beyond a cultural affiliation,” President Tatar said.

Stating that the “unsustainable situation on the Island is well known to everybody,” President Tatar said: “In December 1963, the Turkish Cypriot people were expelled from the state apparatus of the Republic of Cyprus by force of arms as part of the aspiration to unite Cyprus with Greece. This not only destroyed the partnership republic, it eliminated the structure that was primarily based on the will of the two founding partners. Since then, the Greek Cypriot leadership has been unilaterally using the title of ‘Republic of Cyprus’ and trying to present this usurped order as a legitimate representation both on the island and internationally. This structure has turned into a system that prevents the Turkish Cypriot people from being represented at the international level and systematically denies their equal rights.  We are faced with a side that is isolating us and trying to render our existence invisible through political pressure, diplomatic siege and exclusionary campaigns. With this approach, the Greek Cypriot leadership is clearly violating international norms based on human dignity and is attempting to present its own illegitimate order as though it has the capability to represent Turkish Cypriot People.  This policy is fed by the same source as the oppressive mentality that denies our basic rights, which is also seen in the ongoing practices against the Palestinian people.”

President Tatar said: “In the face of all these injustices, the Turkish Cypriot People continue to defend their State, will and vision. The TRNC is an honourable member of the Turkic World and the bearer of regional stability, resistance and justice. Our path is open; our stance is clear.”