Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, having concluded his contacts at the 3rd Antalya Diplomacy Forum, returned to the TRNC on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at Ercan Airport Üstel, described the Forum as a highly magnificent, productive, sincere organization with significant steps towards the future.

“We had the opportunity to represent our country at an important international event with the presence of statesmen, prime ministers, ministers, and politicians from various countries around the world,” he said.

Üstel added that regardless of the level, whenever they come together with anyone, they try to voice the concerns of the Turkish Cypriot people and promote the TRNC.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to Türkiye for its substantial support and emphasized that they have made efforts to enhance political, economic, and cultural relations with all countries globally.

Üstel also noted that the Antalya Diplomacy Forum provides a platform to address global peace and issues through diplomacy, expressing hope that it will continue to strengthen as a symbol of the increasing international influence of the Republic of Türkiye.

“We are increasing our international engagements every day. It will increase even more. We are part of the world. Despite anyone claiming otherwise, this reality cannot be eliminated,” said Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, stressing that the Turkish Cypriot people cannot live in isolation from the world and must participate in international events like the forum to become part of international law.

Üstel added, “If you believe, strive, and feel the support of a state as powerful as Türkiye behind you, there is nothing you cannot achieve despite all obstacles,” stating that the issues discussed during their contacts were not merely verbal and that they would sign some initiatives in the coming days that would open new doors in relations with Azerbaijan.

Üstel also mentioned their meeting with the Prime Minister of Burundi, a country far from the TRNC, which is trying to overcome its difficulties and develop, and informed that nearly 400 Burundian youths are studying in the TRNC.

He stated that during their official meeting with the Burundian Prime Minister, they discussed not only these matters but also the development of political, economic, and cultural relations.

“Even if it’s not known to the public, we already have relations with many countries worldwide. Not just Burundi, but more than 150 countries have some form of relationship with us. We engage in trade, people receive education in our country, visit our country as tourists, and a significant number of people from other countries own property in our country. Therefore, we can find common ground with all the countries we engage in dialogue with,” he said.

Stating that Burundi was just one of the countries included in Türkiye’s new Africa Vision, developed by recognizing opportunities in Africa, Prime Minister Üstel said they also saw this opportunity.

Emphasizing that the world is not limited to one continent, Üstel said, “We want to be a part of not just one continent but the whole world. In other words, regardless of language, religion, origin, country, or continent, we are determined to develop relationships with all countries and people worldwide.”

He also reminded of the progressing relations with Turkic states and the need to reassess relations with other neighbouring countries in the Eastern Mediterranean basin.

Üstel expressed his happiness with the stance regarding Cyprus put forth by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his opening speech at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, reflecting the government’s position, calling it a clear message to the world.

“The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an important experience for us. It contributes significantly to the visibility of the TRNC and presents an important opportunity to convey our voice to the international community. The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) is also similar. There is no stopping, the struggle continues,” said Üstel, expressing their heartfelt thanks to President Erdoğan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for inviting them to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.