The Speaker of Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Numan Kurtulmuş has said that Türkiye and the TRNC will continue to work with determination for the international recognition of Northern Cyprus.

Emphasizing that they want the TRNC to live as an independent state forever, Kurtulmuş said, “For the establishment of two separate sovereign states in Cyprus, the TRNC must also be strong in every aspect.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview to BRT, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş said that his first visit abroad to the TRNC was important that it showed Türkiye’s undying support to the Turkish Cypriot people.

Pointing out that he had held a productive visit to the TRNC, Kurtulmuş said, “Our message here is that Türkiye and the TRNC are inseperable. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is now a sovereign, independent, and free state. God willing, it will maintain its existence on the island of Cyprus until the end of time. This is a national issue for Türkiye.”

When asked about what can be done regarding efforts to promote the TRNC’s recognition during his term as the Speaker of the Parliament, Kurtulmuş said, “The international recognition of the TRNC is not something that can be achieved easily overnight. But we need to follow these processes with determination. Bilateral, trilateral, multilateral, inter-delegation, inter-parliamentary, and inter-party meetings, as well as international activities in the fields of culture, tourism, science, and art, ensuring the participation of our Turkish Cypriot brothers there, and if possible, organizing some international events here. In this way, the TRNC will gradually become a more recognized sovereign state.”

He also drew attention to the challenges and obstacles created for Turkish Cypriots over the years.

“Efforts have been made to wipe out or sideline Turkish Cypriot identity in Cyprus. However, in the end, the Turkish Cypriot side has always been at the negotiating table, seeking a solution. We have seen that a return to the so-called 1960 Republic is not possible which is why the international community must accept the fact that there are two sovereign states and two sovereign peoples on this island. For this, the existence of the TRNC should be strengthened, empowered, and made a stronger state in every field.”

Touching upon the close cooperation that exists between the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Republic’s Assembly, Kurtulmuş said this relationship will continue to grow in the new period.

“The Turkish Grand National Assembly will give a positive response to any approach that the TRNC Parliament will put forward. In other words, if there is joint work to be done as two parliaments, I would like to express our readiness to do so. We, as Türkiye, are ready to fulfill our responsibility for both strengthening the identity of the TRNC and making the Republic’s Assembly more active through joint efforts,” he said.