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Turkish Cyprus Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) stands ready to contribute to regional security and stability as the strategic heart of the Turkic world in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Ertugruloglu made the remarks at the Organization of Turkic States Foreign Ministers' Council Meeting held in Gebele, Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
"In this context, the TRNC, as the strategic heart of the Turkic world in the Eastern Mediterranean, is always ready to contribute to the security and stability of the region," Ertugruloglu said.
The foreign minister congratulated Azerbaijan on assuming the rotating presidency of the Organization of Turkic States.
"The fact that this meeting is being held in the historic city of Gebele, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the glorious Karabakh Victory, is very meaningful and important," Ertugruloglu said.
"Once again, I wholeheartedly congratulate the glorious Azerbaijani army and the heroic Azerbaijani people on this victory under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and I would like to state that we are always by Azerbaijan's side in its struggle for territorial integrity and sovereignty," he noted.
Ertugruloglu thanked Aliyev as well as Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Organization of Turkic States Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliyev and all officials for hosting the meeting.
"Unfortunately, the geography in which the TRNC is located is at the center of geopolitical turmoil and instability," Ertugruloglu said.
He said the Eastern Mediterranean is a strategic crossroads not only in terms of energy resources but also in international maritime and air routes.
"In this delicate balance, the island of Cyprus and therefore the TRNC is in an indispensable position in the establishment of regional security and peace," Ertugruloglu said.
"As the TRNC, we consider the establishment of lasting peace on and around the island as our most important and priority task. The path to this lasting peace is through a fair, realistic solution based on the cooperation of two sovereign equal states," he added.
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Ertugruloglu pointed out that approaches aimed at the domination of only one side or ignoring the sovereign equality and equal international status of the TRNC in the negotiation processes that have been going on for years are doomed to failure.
"Cyprus is the name of an island, not a state," Ertugruloglu said.
"On this island, there are two separate peoples, two separate states. Neither of these states has the right or authority to represent the entire island," he added.
Ertugruloglu emphasized that regional peace and stability are possible not only through military and political measures but also through respect for international law, good neighborly relations and the deepening of economic cooperation.
"At the forefront of the elements threatening our region today are the ongoing tension and provocation policies of the Greek Cypriot side in the Eastern Mediterranean," Ertugruloglu said.
"The continuous and increasing armament of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus takes place in an environment where the success of the rightful Palestinian cause, the region's most deep-rooted and bleeding wound, continues to be prevented, and the fragility of peace in the region is increasing day by day due to historical and current disputes," he noted.
The foreign minister drew attention to how increased military activities have created an environment in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean where stability could be disrupted at any moment and peace in the region could be seriously threatened by a small spark.
"It is very clear that the security and survival of the TRNC is firmly tied to the unwavering support of the motherland Republic of Türkiye," Ertugruloglu said.
"These ongoing tensions and wars in our world and region once again reveal the urgency and importance of diplomatic solutions," he added.
Ertugruloglu stated that intelligence sharing and the ability to act jointly are of vital importance in the fight against cross-border threats and other security challenges.
"As the TRNC, I would like to state that we are ready to contribute to the steps to be taken to develop a common strategy on irregular migration, which is a multi-layered issue that challenges our geography," he said.
The foreign minister noted that the establishment of peace and lasting tranquility in the region depends not only on managing political and military tensions but also on fair and equitable sharing of natural resources such as energy and water.
"Our most important expectation is the fair sharing of hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean in a way that will bring prosperity through regional cooperation," Ertugruloglu said.
"However, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus is trying to violate the legitimate rights and interests of the TRNC and the Republic of Türkiye by taking unilateral steps regarding hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean and around the island of Cyprus," he added.
"This is a futile effort," the Turkish Cypriot foreign minister stated.
He said that the TRNC taking its rightful place in the international community would be the most significant contribution to the consolidation of regional peace.
"The fact that there are two sovereign equal states and peoples on the island must now be accepted, which will balance the Eastern Mediterranean and guarantee the future of the Turkish Cypriot people," Ertugruloglu said.
"In this context, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's calls in all his speeches since the 77th United Nations General Assembly for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the establishment of diplomatic, political and economic relations with our country are of vital importance, and on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, I once again present our deepest gratitude to the president for this heartfelt and strong support," the Turkish Cyprus Foreign Minister stated.
Ertugruloglu said he is confident that the Organization of Turkic States countries will continue and increase their support for lifting the isolation and embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and will be in solidarity in all areas on international platforms.
"Let us not forget that peace, prosperity and security, our common goal, can only be permanently established through our unity and solidarity," he said.
"On these days when the Oct. 3 Turkic States Cooperation Day and the 16th anniversary of the founding document of the Organization of Turkic States, the Nakhchivan Agreement, are celebrated with pride, our belief is complete that the Organization of Turkic States will continue to serve peace, prosperity and stability in its region and beyond," Ertugruloglu said.
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