Wikipedia

Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, a country which facilitates many of its contacts with the international community. After it was occupied by Turkey, Northern Cyprus' relations with the rest of the world were further complicated by a series of United Nations resolutions which declared its independence legally invalid. A 2004 UN Referendum on settling the Cyprus dispute was accepted by the Turkish Cypriots but rejected by the Greek Cypriots. After that, the European Union declared its intentions to assist in reducing the economic isolation of Northern Cyprus and began giving aid to the territory. However, due to pressure from Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, this aid coming from EU funds cannot be used on Greek Cypriot land and property nor on public bodies. As a result, these funds can be used only on 29 percent of people on the island of Cyprus (those under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus).[1]

There is an embargo against the entity in many areas, decisively affecting its attempts at international contacts and representation.[2][3][4]

International recognition

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Turkey is the only country which recognises Northern Cyprus.

In 1983, both Bangladesh and Pakistan withdrew recognition after UNSC Resolution 541 amid international pressure.[5][6]

In 2005, Yahya Jammeh, then President of the Gambia, said that his country was ready to recognise the independence of Northern Cyprus. The Cypriot government protested and The Gambia did not recognise the TRNC.[7]

The Nakhichivan Autonomous Republic (an exclave of Azerbaijan) had issued a resolution in the mid-1990s recognising the TRNC's independence, but Azerbaijan itself has yet refrained to officially support this decision due to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Azerbaijan is sympathetic to the TRNC, but the Republic of Cyprus could recognise Nagorno-Karabakh if Azerbaijan officially recognised the TRNC.[8][better source needed] Lately high level contacts between Azerbaijan and Northern Cyprus have increased. Faiz Sucuoğlu, TRNC's Prime Minister at the time expressed his hope in 2022 that Azerbaijan would recognise his country.[9]

TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu made a call to the members of OIC on 23 September 2022, at a coordination meeting of the Organization's ministers of foreign affairs, at New York, to recognize his country,[10] only a couple of days after a similar call by the President of Turkey to the international community at the 77th UNGA.[11]

Northern Cyprus is recognised by the Commonwealth of Nations as a part of the Republic of Cyprus, not as an independent country.

In July 2024, at the summit of the Organization of Turkic States the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev congratulated the President of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar for the 50 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and mentioned that the participation in the Turkic summit is a crucial step towards the recognition of Northern Cyprus.[12]

Diplomatic representations

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London office of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Bedford Square.

Since the establishment of the TRNC in 1983, only Turkey maintains a resident embassy in Northern Cyprus, and opened a Consulate General in Famagusta in mid January 2023.[13] The TRNC has an embassy in Ankara and consulates in several major cities of Turkey.

In various other countries, the TRNC has representative offices, some of which are unofficial. Turkey represents the TRNC's interests in countries without such offices. In North Nicosia (the Turkish Cypriot administered northern half), both the British High Commissioner to Cyprus and the United States Ambassador to Cyprus have their formal residences, though since these residences had been in use since before 1963, it is not indicative of formal recognition of the TRNC by the United Kingdom or United States. In the same situation are the representative offices maintained by Australia, France, Germany, South Korea.

In May 2015, the EU Infopoint office that aims to bring the Turkish Cypriots closer to the EU, has been inaugurated in North Nicosia.[14]

Honorary Representatives are also appointed by the TRNC in various other cities to represent the TRNC and to assist the primary TRNC Representative Offices.

United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, France, Switzerland and Australia have representation offices in Northern Nicosia. As well, Northern Cyprus has a number of representations in other countries with various status.

Foreign minister

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The current Foreign Minister is Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu. He is holding this position for the fourth time, since 1983.[15]

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    Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu

Bilateral relations

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Azerbaijan

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Azerbaijan–Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus locator

On 9 August 2022, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan met with TRNC President Ersin Tatar in Konya and regarded Northern Cyprus officially as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".[16] Ersin Tatar also visited Azerbaijan on 13-14 October 2023 and met with Aliyev again.[17][18]

Burkina Faso

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On 27 September 2024, Foreign minister of Northern Cyprus, Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu and Foreign minister of Burkina Faso, Karamako Jean-Marie Traoré, met during margins of the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.[19]

Republic of Cyprus

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After the Republic of Cyprus became a member of the European Union, the southern part of the island became part of the Customs Union of the EU. The Northern part of the island is excluded from the Customs Union. In spite of that, the Green Line regulations are intended to ease trade relations between Northern Cyprus and the EU.[citation needed]

Oil exploration in East Mediterranean became a problem between the administrations of the north and the south side since 2000.

Equatorial Guinea

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In 2011 and 2012, the then President of Northern Cyprus Derviş Eroğlu and President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo held meetings in New York, US.[20][21]

France

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In 2023, the president of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, strongly protested France's naval base in the southern part of the island of Cyprus[22] which Northern Cyprus considers illegal.[23]

The Gambia

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In 2022, the President of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, received the Vice President of The Gambia, Badara Alieu Joof, who invited President Tatar to The Gambia.[24]

Germany

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Although Germany does not maintain official relations with Northern Cyprus, it has wide-ranging contact with representatives of the Turkish Cypriots. [25]

Greece

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In 2014, the-then Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Özersay and his delegation was received by the Secretary General of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Anastasios Mitsialis.[26][27]

Guinea

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In 2008, the minister of Economy, Finance and Planning of Guinea, Ousmane Doré, visited Northern Cyprus and met with Turgay Avcı, the then minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Cyprus.[28][29]

Kosovo

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On 18 February 2008, the President of the TRNC, Mehmet Ali Talat, congratulated the people of Kosovo on their new-found independence, in opposition to the Republic of Cyprus, which has not recognised Kosovo as an independent state. However, presidential spokesman Hasan Ercakica stated that the TRNC was not preparing to officially recognise Kosovo.[30] In contrast, the Republic of Cyprus has rejected Kosovo's declaration of independence and, given the ICJ ruling that Kosovo's declaration of independence was not illegal, stating that Kosovo and Northern Cyprus were not analogous situations.[31]

Kyrgyzstan

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In 2008 Kyrgyzstan earthquake, Northern Cyprus helped Kyrgyzstan and granted tents, blankets, tons of food, construction materials (cement, covering slate, timber and bricks), power generators, wood stoves, and warm clothes.[32] In 2016, a common Turkish Cypriot–Kyrgyz business cooperation forum was held in Kyrgyzstan.[33]

Libya

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On 30 October 2011, Libya and Northern Cyprus signed the Cooperation on Health Services Protocol. The protocol included to reserve 250 beds at the Near East University hospital in North Nicosia for the treatment of injured Libyans.[34][35][36]

Malaysia

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On 5 August 2023, Malaysia allowed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to open a trade office in Malaysia.[37][38]

Pakistan

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In February 2017, the president of Northern Cyprus, Mustafa Akıncı was received by the President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain.[39]

On 4 August 2023, the signing of a memorandum of understanding on higher education was agreed between Northern Cyprus and Pakistan.[40]

On 8 November 2023, the President of TRNC, Ersin Tatar met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar in Tashkent, during the XVI. ECO Summit.[41]

Russia

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In February 2008, Vladimir V. Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, equated the Northern Cyprus situation with that resulting from a unilateral Kosovo declaration of independence, which he opposes, in order to point out European countries' double standards in their desire to recognize Kosovo region as an independent state.[42]

On 2 September 2008, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey announced that if Turkey recognized the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia would recognize the TRNC as an independent country.[43] Later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected this variant.[44]

In September 2023, Russia started consular services in Northern Cyprus.[45][46]

Turkey

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Main article: Northern Cyprus–Turkey relations
 
Northern Cypriot flag at Ulus Square in Ankara.

The TRNC fully supports Turkey's bid to join the European Union. As part of this bid, Turkey signed a protocol extending its customs union to the new EU members, including the Republic of Cyprus, which Turkey does not recognise.[citation needed] Turkey made sure this was not tantamount to recognition with the inclusion of a declaration, stipulating their continued policy of non-recognition of what they describe as the "Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus" until a settlement is reached. This declaration is not accepted by the EU which did not accept this statement as forming part of the acquis and expects Turkey to fully abide to its obligations against the Republic of Cyprus. The TRNC views any move by the EU to force Turkish recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as an effort to cut them off from their base of support.[47]

On 21 September 2011, Turkey and Northern Cyprus signed the EEZ border agreement in New York.[48][49]

United Kingdom

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The UK maintains a dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot community, although still does not recognize Northern Cyprus.[50]

On 3 February 2017, UK's High Court ruled that "There was no duty in UK law upon the Government to refrain from recognising Northern Cyprus. The United Nations itself works with Northern Cyprus law enforcement agencies and facilitates co-operation between the two parts of the island."[51] Turkish Cypriot governmental officials declared that Northern Cyprus must be ready to Brexit since EU acquis will not be binding on UK thereby UK and Northern Cyprus can trade just as pre-1994 ECtHR ruling.

United States

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Main article: Northern Cyprus–United States relations

The United States abstained in a vote in 1984 in the UN Security Council condemning "secessionist activities" on Cyprus.[52] A Northern Cyprus Representative Office is located in Washington, D.C. The Representative Office in New York City is the de facto mission of the TRNC to the United Nations Organisation (as well as a de facto Consulate-General).

On 9 October 2014, the USA's Federal Court stated that "the TRNC purportedly operates as a democratic republic with a president, prime minister, legislature and judiciary".[53][54][55]

On 28 September 2021, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Cyprus, Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu had meetings with members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress, Congressman Peter Sessions and Congressman Steve Chabot, respectively.[56]

On 3 August 2023, US Congressman and former chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Pete Sessions, visited Northern Cyprus. Sessions met with President Ersin Tatar; he visited the Turkish Cypriot parliament building where he was met by Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre, and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.[57][58][59][60]

Membership in international organisations

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Main article: Membership of Northern Cyprus in international organizations

In 1979, Northern Cyprus became an observer member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation under the title "Turkish Cypriot State".[61] In 2017, Northern Cyprus was represented with its official name "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" for the first time at an OIC conference in Saudi Arabia.[62][63]

In 1994, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus became an observer member of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (Türksoy).[64]

In 2004, the Turkish Cypriot community was awarded "observer status" in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), as part of the Cypriot delegation. Since then, the two Turkish Cypriot representatives of PACE are elected in the Assembly of Northern Cyprus.[65][66]

On 16 October 2012, Northern Cyprus became an observer member of the Economic Cooperation Organization under the title "Turkish Cypriot State".[67] In 2017, Northern Cyprus was represented with its official name "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" for the first time at an ECO conference in Pakistan.[68][69]

In 2013, North Cyprus Red Crescent Society became an observer member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.[70]

In 2022, Northern Cyprus became an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) with its official name "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".[71] The TRNC President, Ersin Tatar, participated at the Ankara Extraordinary Summit of the Organization on 17 March 2023.[72] He also received the Secretary General of the OTS on 22 September 2023 at New York, during the 78th UNGA.[73]

In April 2023, Northern Cyprus became an observer member of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) with its official name "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".[74]

In 2023, the TRNC also participated to the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) summit in Bahrain.[75]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Nathalie Tocci (January 2006). "The Cyprus Stalemate: What next?". International Crisis Group Europe Report, No. 171.
  2. ^ Günçavdi, Ömer; Küçük, Suat (2009). "Economic Growth Under Embargoes in North Cyprus: An Input-Output Analysis" (PDF). Turkish Studies. 10 (3): 365–392. doi:10.1080/14683840903141699. S2CID 30848722.
  3. ^ Talmon, Stefan (2001). "The Cyprus Question before the European Court of Justice". European Journal of International Law. 12 (4): 727–750. doi:10.1093/ejil/12.4.727.
  4. ^ "The thorn in Europe's side". The Economist. 16 January 2002. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Northern Cyprus's Twin Brother – Taiwan « Humanities II – World History". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Is Now the Time for a Cyprus Deal?". Commentary Magazine. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  7. ^ Soeters, Joseph; Manigart, Philippe (4 December 2009). Military Cooperation in Multinational Peace Operations: Managing Cultural Diversity and Crisis Response. Routledge. ISBN 9781134065004.
  8. ^ "Europe, the US, Turkey and Azerbaijan recognise the "unrecognised" Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". regnum.ru. Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  9. ^ "Northern Cyprus expects to be officially recognized by Azerbaijan: Premier".
  10. ^ "Turkish Cyprus calls on OIC members to formally recognize country". Daily Sabah. 23 September 2022.
  11. ^ "North Cyprus News | President Erdoğan Calls for Recognition of TRNC". 21 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Cyprus' participation in Turkic summit crucial to its recognition: Aliyev". 21 July 2024. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Türkiye'nin Gazimağusa Başkonsolosluğu hizmet vermeye başladı".
  14. ^ "EU Infopoint office opens in north". cyprus-mail.com.
  15. ^ "Biography | Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". 24 February 2022.
  16. ^ Charlton, Gill (9 August 2022). "Ilham Aliyev received President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in Konya". President of Azerbaijan. Baku. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Presidency of TRNC - President Tatar visits the Mausoleum of Heydar Aliyev, National Leader of the Republic of Azerbaijan".
  18. ^ "Ilham Aliyev received President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar » Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic".
  19. ^ Kibris Postasi 27 Sep 2024 Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu informed his Burkina Faso counterpart about the developments in Cyprus.
  20. ^ Kibris Postasi 21 Sep 2011 President Dervis Eroglu met with the president of Equatorial Guinea
  21. ^ Kibris Time 25 Sep 2012 Archived 13 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Eroglu's New York meetings are continuing.
  22. ^ Mehmet Kemal Ferik (16 June 2023). "French base in Southern Cyprus, US armament 'clear violations of Cyprus' founding agreements': Northern Cyprus president". Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  23. ^ Chet Ramadan (1 September 2023). "Weak British diplomacy helps Russia in the Med". Retrieved 19 September 2023."...This includes new French military bases being established. This is an extremely concerning development as it is a clear violation of the 1960 agreements between Cyprus, Turkey, the UK and Greece."
  24. ^ Presidency of Northern Cyprus 30.11.2022 President Ersin Tatar receives Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia Badara Alieu Joof, who invites President Tatar to The Gambia: "Cooperation between the two countries should be developed in the fields of international relations, tourism and culture as well as education."
  25. ^ "Germany and Cyprus: Bilateral relations". Federal Foreign Office. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  26. ^ Kibris Postasi 28.02.2014 Is the psychological wall down?
  27. ^ "Hellenic Resources Network 28.02.2014".
  28. ^ Hurriyet 2008[permanent dead link‍] Dore, the minister of Economy of Guinea, is in Northern Cyprus to meet with Turgay Avci, the minister of Foreign Affairs.
  29. ^ Turk Ajansi Kibris Archived 13 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine The minister of Economy of Guinea is in Northern Cyprus.
  30. ^ "Ercakica on the recognition of Kosovos independence". Anatolia News Agency. 19 February 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  31. ^ Sarah Fenwick (8 December 2009). "No Right To Self-Determination for Minorities – Cyprus". cyprusnewsreport.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  32. ^ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) Operation Update
  33. ^ MFA, TRNC Cyprus Turkish – Kyrgyz Business Cooperation Forum
  34. ^ "Libyan Health Minister and NEU Rector signed Protocol for the Injured People in Libya". Near East University, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. 31 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  35. ^ turizmhaberleri 03 November 2011 Health Services Agreement was signed between Northern Cyprus and Libya
  36. ^ NTV 31 October 2011 Libya de facto recognised Northern Cyprus
  37. ^ "Turkish President Erdogan, Malaysia's premier discuss bilateral ties in video call". AA. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Erdogan, Anwar discuss Turkey-Malaysia bilateral ties in video call". luminews. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  39. ^ Kibris Postasi 28.02.2017 President Mustafa Akinci participated to the dinner of presidents in Islamabad
  40. ^ "MoU on higher education agreed between north and Pakistan". Cyprus Mail. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  41. ^ "KKTC Cumhurbaşkanlığı - Cumhurbaşkanı Ersin Tatar, Özbekistan'da, Pakistan Başbakanı Anvarul Hak Kakar ile görüştü".
  42. ^ webposter. "edc.tsu.ru - Daily Review of Russian Press Reports on Kosovo". Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  43. ^ "Ambassador:Russia shall recognize the TRNC right after Turkey recognizes South Ossetia". Famagusta Gazette. 2 September 2008. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011.
  44. ^ "Russia Rejects Trade-Off With Turkey on Recognition of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Northern Cyprus". 7 October 2009.
  45. ^ "Russia launches consular services in Northern Cyprus amid diplomatic tensions". 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  46. ^ "INTERVIEW: Turkish Cypriot leader says he doesn't see EU as honest broker". Retrieved 29 September 2023. The Russian Embassy has started providing consular services for the Russian citizens in Northern Cyprus. What would be your reaction to that? Tatar (President of Northern Cyprus): It is estimated that there are thousands of Russian citizens and Russian-speaking community in the TRNC and naturally these people need consular services. Therefore, looking from the humanitarian consideration, this decision is long overdue. Countries like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Australia have also been providing consular services over many years at TRNC. Thus, this was a necessary and beneficial step for the Russian citizens living in TRNC.
  47. ^ "Cyprus Gas Dispute: Turkish Obstinance and European Passivity | BIC-RHR".
  48. ^ Official Gazette 12 July 2012
  49. ^ Official Gazette EEZ Border (Page 4)
  50. ^ "Local Authority B vs. X (mother) and V (father) and T (by his Children's Guardian)". England and Wales Family Court Decisions (High Court Judges). London. 6 May 2020.Paragraph 10.
  51. ^ Reporters, Telegraph (3 February 2017). "Criminals fleeing British justice can no longer use Cyprus as a safe haven, judges rule, in landmark decision". The Telegraph. London.
  52. ^ Richmond, Oliver P. (3 April 2013). Mediating in Cyprus: The Cypriot Communities and the United Nations. Routledge. ISBN 9781136319440.
  53. ^ Courthouse News Center 13.10.2014 Property Spat Over Turk-Controlled Cyprus Fails
  54. ^ USA's Federal Court Michali Toumazou, Nicolas Kantzilaris and Maroulla Tompazou versus Republic of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
  55. ^ USA's Federal Court Toumazou et al v. Republic of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
  56. ^ "Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu continuous his contacts in Washington". The MFA of Northern Cyprus. September 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  57. ^ "President Ersin Tatar holds meeting with US Congressman Pete Sessions". The Presidency of Northern Cyprus. August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  58. ^ "Töre, ABD Temsilciler Meclisi üyesi Session'ı kabul etti". The Assembly of Northern Cyprus. August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  59. ^ "President Tatar tells American congressman US should recognize two-state solution for Cyprus". T-Vine. August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  60. ^ "US congressman Peter Anderson Sessions visited the TRNC, meets with Ersin Tatar". olomoinfo. August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  61. ^ "Observers".
  62. ^ TRNC Public Information Office TRNC represented with its official name for the first time at OIC conference.
  63. ^ Kibris Postasi, 9 Feb 2017 Archived 22 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine Minister Saner: "Our country was designated as "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in a OIC conference for the first time.
  64. ^ "Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti".
  65. ^ James Ker-Lindsay (UN SG's Former Special Representative for Cyprus) The Foreign Policy of Counter Secession: Preventing the Recognition of Contested States, p.149
  66. ^ Today's Zaman 2005-2007: CTP Özdil Nami; UBP Huseyin Ozgurgun
  67. ^ "Erdoğan, Ahmadinejad discuss Syria during private meeting - POLITICS". 16 October 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  68. ^ Radio Pakistan 01.03.2017 Archived 2 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine ECO leaders urge for regional economic cooperation
  69. ^ Presidency of Northern Cyprus Archived 23 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine Statement by President Mustafa Akıncı at the 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation
  70. ^ "Turkish Red Crescent clinches spot on international board - Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news". Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  71. ^ "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus admitted to Organization of Turkic States as observer". Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  72. ^ "Tatar: (TDT Zirvesi) KKTC adıyla uluslararası toplantıda yer almamız gerçekten çok anlamlıydı".
  73. ^ "OTS Secretary General was received by the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in New York | News".
  74. ^ "The Assembly of the Republic was accepted as an observer member of TURKPA". Kibris Postasi. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  75. ^ "'TRNC' flag on show at Bahrain meeting". 13 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
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