In an address during his official visit to Kyrgyzstan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underscored Türkiye’s commitment to advancing the role and recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

He expressed confidence that Kyrgyzstan’s leadership would support the TRNC’s membership to the organisation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Türkiye-Kyrgyzstan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council’s sixth meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed confidence that Kyrgyzstan’s leadership would support the fair representation of the TRNC, which holds observer status in the OTS.

“I wholeheartedly believe that during your term, you will contribute significantly to the honorable representation of our observer member, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Erdoğan stated.

President Erdoğan also highlighted the close ties between Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing their cooperation in numerous areas including counter-terrorism. Addressing Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, he thanked him for his warm hospitality, noting, “It is a joy to be in Kyrgyzstan, our ancestral land.”

The leaders signed an agreement elevating their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” establishing a framework to strengthen collaboration in security, transportation, and health.

Erdoğan also announced an ambitious bilateral trade target of $5 billion, emphasizing Türkiye’s commitment to Kyrgyzstan as a key investor and development partner.

During the meeting, President Erdoğan also condemned the ongoing attacks on Gaza and urged for increased international pressure on Israel.

Recalling the Turkic States’ call for an immediate ceasefire at the recent informal OTS summit in Shusha, he said, “Israel’s actions, including its recent strikes on Lebanon, pose a grave threat to regional and global stability.”

Erdoğan thanked Kyrgyzstan for supporting Türkiye’s multilateral efforts, particularly within the United Nations, to seek a fair and lasting solution for Palestine.