President Ersin Tatar drew attention to the ongoing human rights violations against the Turkish Cypriot people, who, he said, “had been isolated for 60 years as a result of the oppressive and maximalist attitude of the Greek Cypriot leadership.

He added that the embargoes placed on the Turkish Cypriots have been done so “unfairly and unlawfully”.

Tatar’s words came in his address at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) 15th Islamic Summit which took place in the capital of Gambia Banjul.

The summit is being attended by high-level representatives of the OIC’s 57 member states and five observers, of which the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), under the name “Turkish Cypriot State”, is one.

Earlier on Saturday, Tatar met with Gambian President Adama Barrow.

Tatar told Barrow about latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem and asked for his support on the matter in light of the fact that the Gambia holds the presidency of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

He asked for solidarity “in the fight to end the ongoing human rights violations against the Turkish Cypriot people.

Barrow said he was “very happy” to see Tatar in his country and added that he wishes to develop bilateral relations with the Turkish Cypriots through the framework of the OIC.

He added that the Gambia is “aware of the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle”, and said he was “ready to work together to see what can be done in this regard”.

On Sunday, he met with Banjul mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, the first female elected mayor in the Gambia.

He said she is “known for leading efforts to empower women in all areas of life, especially in politics, especially on the African continent.”

Tatar who will be returning to the island at noon today will be holding a press conference.