Turkish, Northern Cypriot officials meet to discuss Cyprus issue

By Ali Kemal Akan, Ertugrul Subasi and Gazi Nogay

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye’s Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliament Speaker Zorlu Tore met Wednesday at the Turkish Parliament to discuss the Cyprus issue and global challenges.

Emphasizing the importance of the Cyprus matter as a national concern, Kurtulmus said the difficult times related to Cyprus were now in the past.

He conveyed the belief that there were no longer obstacles hindering the formation of a stronger Cyprus.

“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is now at the beginning of a period where it can establish its existence as a state in the international arena,” he said.

Turning to global issues, Kurtulmus said the lack of a "new, fair and just world system" was a critical challenge.

“There is a world politics that can hardly solve any problems, can’t approach any issue with a fair and lasting peace perspective, and is ineffective. We see that this world system supports only those who possess power.

“This system cannot continue in this way. We know how this system has worked against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot people in Cyprus for years,” he added.

Drawing attention to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, Kurtulmus pointed out the failure of the global system to provide effective solutions and called for a new, fair and just global political order.

“Today, in a similar manner, we witness a significant massacre, a large-scale genocide unfolding in Gaza before the eyes of all humanity. Unfortunately, the global system appears unable to produce even the slightest solution to this situation,” he said.

Tore, reflecting on historical events, recalled the significance of the Peace Operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces on July 20, 1974 to stop Greek oppression and persecution of the Turkish Cypriot people, emphasizing that the United Nations Peacekeeping Force had been ineffective in ensuring peace on the island.

“The United Nations Peacekeeping Force has never been able to establish peace on the island and could not remain impartial,” he said.

Tore also criticized the inefficacy of international organizations such as the UN and the European Union.

“Therefore, as the Turkish nation, we need to be strong, and our national unity and solidarity should further strengthen. As the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we stand with the support of the homeland and move on.”

Also, Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, discussed Türkiye's support for a two-state solution to the Cyprus issue during talks with a delegation led by Emrah Yesilirmak, Chairman of the Administrative, Public and Health Affairs Committee of the TRNC Parliament.

Oktay recalled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call for the recognition of the TRNC's independence at the United Nations General Assembly.

He underscored ongoing efforts for the international recognition of the TRNC and emphasized Türkiye's unwavering support for the Turkish Cypriot people.

“The recognition of Cyprus and lifting of all kinds of restrictions or embargoes on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are constantly on our agenda at every opportunity and in every setting,” he said.

Yesilirmak acknowledged Türkiye’s substantial support in various fields and noted that their visit aimed to benefit from the Turkish Grand National Assembly's experiences for legal regulations addressing deficiencies.

The delegation led by Yesilirmak also met with Mustafa Varank, chairman of the Committee on Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources and Information and Technology of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.