A historic visit is being conducted to Azerbaijan.
President Ersin Tatar, together with Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, are leading a delegation of 200 people from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for a promotional tour in Azerbaijan.
President Tatar who delivered a speech during the gala night of the event, emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people are an inseparable part of the great Turkish nation and expressed his belief that this historic visit to Azerbaijan will bring blessings for the future of TRNC.
An opening gala dinner was held at the Hilton Hotel in Baku on Thursday as part of the Cultural and Promotional Days of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The program began with the observance of a minutes of silence, followed by the national anthems of both countries and a screening of a promotional film about the TRNC.
Addressing the event, President Tatar expressed his delight at being together on such a historic day.
“As the sons and daughters of the same nation with a shared destiny, past, and hearts, we have always considered ourselves alongside our motherland, the Republic of Türkiye, and have also embraced Azerbaijan as a brotherly country,” he said.
Tatar emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people have never been alone in their struggle against the mentality that has sought to subjugate them under isolation and embargoes.
He underlined that the Turkish Cypriot people are an integral part of the great Turkish nation.
Tatar reaffirmed that the TRNC, as an observer member of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), is an inseparable part of the Turkish nation and the Turkic world.
He also thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the support he has always shown and the determination demonstrated in accepting the TRNC as an observer member in the organization.
Tatar noted the value of the sovereignty rights derived from the 1960 foundation agreements of the Turkish Cypriot people, highlighting that after the acceptance of South Cyprus into the European Union following the Annan Plan, and the collapse of the Crans Montana talks despite the goodwill of the Turkish Cypriot people, a new policy had now emerged.
Tatar emphasized that for any future agreement to be reached in Cyprus, it was essential for the new two-state policy based on cooperation to be accepted.
He stressed that the traditional process of a partnership republic, had proven itself to be ineffective.
Tatar conveyed that any future agreement will be based on the cooperation of the two states, and that they are striving to make this known to the world with the support of the motherland.
President Tatar also expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, for the new determination to enhance relations with Azerbaijan in diplomatic, political, and cultural aspects.
He especially thanked President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
Tatar expressed his view that this historic visit will bring blessings for the future of the TRNC and expressed his admiration for Azerbaijan’s victory in Karabakh.
“Our prayers were always with you… Thankfully, you achieved that victory, and the world acknowledged that Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, as Azerbaijan has always aimed and desired,” he added.
Reminding that the TRNC is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary on November 15, Tatar said that as the years pass, the TRNC is becoming more deeply rooted.
Tatar emphasized that there are now two states, two peoples, and two democracies in Cyprus, and uniting these under a partnership framework is no longer possible.
“A federal settlement will result in the assimilation and elimination of Turkish Cypriots within the structure of South Cyprus as well as sever their ties with Türkiye,” he warned.
Drawing attention to the deep and sacred ties between Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot people, Tatar noted that the Republic of Türkiye is not only the motherland but also the guarantor of the Turkish Cypriot people, and it is the largest and most powerful country in the Eastern Mediterranean, located only 40 miles away.
He stressed that breaking the bonds between Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriots is not possible.
Tatar also indicated that in recent years, ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan have grown stronger, which is very pleasing.
He highlighted the increasing role, importance, and value of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the southernmost Turkish state in the Eastern Mediterranean, within the Turkic world.
Tatar stated that the TRNC is not just a piece of land but also the representative of the entire Turkic world’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, including sovereignty, maritime jurisdiction, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zone rights.