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The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliament Speaker Ziya Ozturkler said Friday that if Crimea's status is being discussed internationally, the recognition of Turkish Cyprus should also be on the table, following U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments about Crimea's return to Ukraine being difficult.
Ozturkler stated that Trump's remark that "Crimea's return to Ukraine is difficult" reveals the depth of inconsistent approaches in international law and called for defending the principle of "equality against double standards."
"If Crimea is being discussed, TRNC's recognition should also be discussed," Ozturkler said in a statement released by the Turkish Cyprus Parliament in Nicosia.
The parliament speaker emphasized that Trump's statement about Crimea presents an opportunity for the international community to question itself, noting this is an important issue that should be evaluated from the TRNC's perspective.
Ozturkler highlighted that, unlike the situation in Crimea, the TRNC has a political structure shaped by the will of the people and is pursuing a struggle for recognition through peaceful diplomacy.
"When the Crimea issue is being discussed, the legitimacy and right to recognition of the TRNC should also be re-evaluated," Ozturkler said.
"The situation voiced by President Trump raises questions about why the TRNC's legitimate demands are systematically suppressed in the international arena," he noted.
The parliament speaker stressed that the right of peoples to self-determination should apply equally to all, including Turkish Cypriots.
"The right of peoples to self-determination should also be valid for the Turkish Cypriot people," Ozturkler stated, emphasizing the need for consistent application of international principles.
The TRNC, established in 1983, is recognized only by Türkiye and has been seeking broader international recognition for over four decades.
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