President Ersin Tatar has held a press conference at Ercan Airport prior to his departure to the Republic of Türkiye, where he answered questions relating to the invitation of President of Azerbaijan, İlham Aliyev, to attend a summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) to be held in Azerbaijan in July.

President Tatar stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been accepted as an observer member to the Organisation of Turkic States in 2022, and said the invitation by President Aliyev “has made us very happy”.

The invitation to President Tatar, to attend the summit of the OTS to be held in Azerbaijan, was made by President Aliyev during a joint press conference President Aliyev held in Ankara with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, on Monday.

President Tatar said: “The increased visibility of the TRNC and the participation of our State in international summits strengthens our new position for a two State settlement in Cyprus that is based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot Side.”

 “I wish to express my thanks to Presidents Erdoğan and Aliyev,” President Tatar said, adding: “The TRNC was unanimously accepted as an observer member with its constitutional name to the OTS at the Summit in Uzbekistan, in November, 2022.  We participated in the summit that was held in Ankara, as we will do at the upcoming summit in Azerbaijan in July. These are important developments in terms of our history and is a source of pride for us.”

Stating that as an observer member, the TRNC is being represented in the OTS at ministerial and institutional levels, the President stated that the TRNC will be participating in a summit to be attended by heads of state.

Stating that the Greek Cypriot Side will increase pressure aimed at obstructing the participation of the TRNC at the OTS Summit, President Tatar added: “However, President Aliyev and the People of Azerbaijan have always stood by us. President Aliyev places great importance to the OTS.”

Underlining that “it is important for the TRNC to continue to participate at all levels in the summits and international events of the OTS,” President Tatar said: “The TRNC is an independent Turkish State that is located in the most southern part of all Turkic states in the geostrategic eastern Mediterranean region, on the crossroads of three continents, just 40 miles south of the Republic of Türkiye. Even though the TRNC may in comparison have a smaller territory when compared to other OTS states, the TRNC will take its just place among international organisations as has been the case for South Cyprus.”

Stressing that these developments “demonstrate how important and meaningful the new position for a two State settlement in Cyprus is,” President Tatar said that the recognition of the TRNC “will not come about in one-two days,” but “there is important headway being made on this path that will be continued”.

President Tatar will meet with International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) Secretary General Sultan Raev in Ankara and attend the opening of the Exhibition and Commemoration Event, titled: "TRNC Founding President Rauf R. Denktaş as an Artist on the 100th Anniversary of his Birth".