President Ersin Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriots, who are equal co-founders of the Republic of Cyprus under Greek occupation, were forced to establish their own state, adding that keeping this state under embargo and isolation was a violation of international law.

President Ersin Tatar received the President of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Kadir Özkaya, the President of the Court of Cassation, Ömer Kerkez, the President of the Council of State, Zeki Yiğit, and the President of the Court of Jurisdictional Disputes, Rıdvan Güleç, who were in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to attend the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 Judicial Year.

The Head of the Supreme Court, Bertan Özerdağ, Supreme Court Judges Gülden Çiftçioğlu, Beril Çağdal, and Peri Hakkı, as well as Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa, Yasin Ekrem Serim, were also present at the meeting.

In his speech during the meeting, President Tatar stressed that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was a state governed by the rule of law, stating, “For us to maintain our presence and national values on the island, this system must continue as it has in the past.”

Reiterating that if there was any occupation in Cyprus, it is that of the Republic of Cyprus, the President said, “When we look at the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots have inherent sovereign rights.”

Tatar also noted that the unilateral accession of the Greek Cypriots to the European Union following the 2004 Annan Plan was a violation of the law, adding, “The Turkish Cypriots, who are the equal co-founders of the Republic of Cyprus, were forced to establish their own state. Keeping this state under embargo and isolation is also a violation of international law.”

The President of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Kadir Özkaya, stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was a strong state governed by the rule of law.

“We are determined to continue cooperation at the highest level and are ready to provide all kinds of support” Özkaya added.

The President of the Turkish Court of Cassation, Ömer Kerkez, stressed that the belief in the Turkish community in the TRNC being a separate state had fully taken root, and that there was no hesitation in defending its sovereign rights.

Noting that both the European Union and the Greek Cypriot side were aware of this, Kerkez expressed his belief that the TRNC will not step back.

The President of the Turkish Council of State, Zeki Yiğit, stated that they have observed a strong judicial system and legal understanding prevailing in the TRNC.

“Having a strong judiciary will greatly contribute to the TRNC securing its place in the world as a sovereign state” Yiğit added.

The President of the Turkish Court of Jurisdictional Disputes, Rıdvan Güleç, said that the thoughts and ideas of TRNC judges gave them hope for the future of the TRNC.

“They have a very strong, fair, and balanced approach,” Güleç said and stressed that the Cyprus issue was a national cause for them.

Also speaking during the meeting, the Head of the Supreme Court, Bertan Özerdağ, expressed his pleasure in hosting the guests who came from Türkiye for the opening of the judicial year.

Özerdağ also stressed that cooperation had always continued.