The Türkiye-Azerbaijan, Türkiye-TRNC and TRNC-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group delegations which are in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for an official visit were received by state and government officials on Monday.

The delegations were received separately by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre and Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu.

Messages of solidarity and unity were exchanged during the visits.

Speaking during the visit to Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Chairman of the Azerbaijan-TRNC Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Cavanşir Feyziyev, emphasized their aim to enhance relations and foster closer ties in all areas.

He underscored Azerbaijan’s solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people and hinted at increasing support through strengthened bonds.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel expressed great satisfaction in hosting the delegation from Azerbaijan in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, labelling the occasion as a “historic day.”

He recounted their first visit to Azerbaijan following their observer membership in the Council of Turkic states initiated by the efforts of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Üstel highlighted discussions between the presidents, focusing on collaboration in economic, cultural, social, and tourism sectors, followed by reciprocal visits.

He also drew parallels between the struggle in Karabakh and the ongoing struggle in Cyprus, emphasizing the solidarity between the two nations.

Üstel emphasized the significance of the decision taken by the National Assembly of Azerbaijan to establish a friendship group as a milestone and historic decision for both nations.

He concluded by affirming the determination to reinforce the bonds between the two nations, envisioning a future where the three states act as one united people.

Also receiving the delegations, Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre expressed his honour in being part of the Turkic nation, stating, “After 146 years, we reunite with our second sibling after our big brother.”

He emphasized the significance of being members of the same nation, expressing pride in their shared heritage.

Töre stressed that their national unity, solidarity, and friendship with Azerbaijan would endure eternally.

“Azerbaijan is our soul, our sibling. Azerbaijan will open doors for us to other Turkic nations. I hope so. Our Azerbaijani brothers are here after 146 years. We celebrate this. We congratulate you for making such a decision,” he said.

Similar views were expressed by the chairman of the three delegations, Cavanşir Feyziyev, Ehliman Emiraslanov and Shamil Ayrım.

The delegations also visited Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu on Monday.

Receiving the delegations, Ertuğruloğlu said that the UN Security Council’s five permanent members continue to pressure countries within their spheres of influence to prevent the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), emphasizing that non-recognition does not mean that a state did not exist.

“The state exists and is established with all its organs, and if there are deficiencies or mistakes, as with any state, the responsibility lies with the countries that have been applying unjust policies to us for years,” Ertuğruloğlu remarked.

He pointed out that the real policy of the Greek Cypriots is to view the Turkish Cypriots as a minority, noting that negotiations under UN supervision have been attempted for 60 years, during which time the Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş devoted his life to the process.

Asserting that while the world recognised the Greek Cypriots as a state, they regarded Turkish Cypriots as a community, Ertuğruloğlu emphasized, “If you sit at the table with an unequal status, it is not possible to rise as equals,” recalling the new policy adopted by the Turkish Cypriot side after the Crans Montana talks.

The Foreign Minister expressed that the policy advocated by the Turkish Cypriot side today may not be immediately accepted, stating, “But their non-acceptance does not mean we will give up.”

Ertuğruloğlu also extended thanks to Türkiye and Azerbaijan for their assistance and support.

Cavanşir Feyziyev, Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group between Azerbaijan’s National Assembly and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, emphasized the need for Turkic states to defend each other.