President Ersin Tatar has returned to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after completing his visit to Australia.

Upon his arrival at Ercan Airport, he was greeted by Speaker of the Republic Assembly Zorlu Töre and Minister of the Interior Dursun Oğuz.

Speaking at a press conference at Ercan, President Ersin Tatar recalled that during the 1940s, Turkish Cypriots emigrated enmasse to Australia due to hardships under British colonial rule, the economic depression caused by World War II, and Greek Cypriot attacks.

Describing his visit to Australia as highly successful, Tatar said that his visit to the country was in response to the expectations of associations and organizations there.

Highlighting the warm reception from the Turkish Cypriot community in Australia, President Tatar said that he personally witnessed the strong affection and longing for their homeland among the Turkish Cypriots living in Australia.

Tatar also addressed the issue of embargoes and isolations still imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people.

He noted that Australian officials he spoke with were generally unaware of these issues, although they acknowledged a problem existed without knowing the details.

“There are two distinct peoples, states, and democracies in Cyprus. Any agreement must be based on the acceptance and cooperation of these realities,” Tatar stated.

He emphasized that the Cyprus issue is not well-known in Australia, hence the importance of informing his counterparts.

Tatar also noted the increasing influence of the Turkish Cypriot Diaspora in Australia, which he found encouraging.