President Ersin Tatar has expressed his happiness at the invitation of Azerbaijanı President Ilham Aliyev to attend the upcoming unofficial summit meeting of the Organisation of Turkic States set to take place in Shusha, Azerbaijan in July this year.
“The invitation strengthens our new policy.” President Tatar told reporters before departing for Ankara on Tuesday.
Welcoming Aliyev’s invitation, Tatar said that the increased visibility of the TRNC and its presence in the international arena strengthened the Turkish Cypriot side’s two-state policy on Cyprus.
Thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Tatar stated that the participation of the TRNC in Turkish unity is important for the future.
He also said that he expected the Greek Cypriot side and international community to step up its efforts to prevent the TRNC’s participation in the summit but added that they will not be deterred by such attempts.
Tatar added that Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev’s vision gave them courage and strength to the Turkish Cypriot people and their just cause.
He said that despite being a small state, the TRNC played an important role in Turkic unity.
“We are aware that recognition will not come in a day but we remain unswayed in our determination and commitment to preserving our sovereignty and independence,” the president said.
As part of his contacts in the Turkish capital, President Tatar will meet with the Secretary-General of TÜRKSOY, Sultan Raev.
He will also attend the inauguration of an exhibition titled “The TRNC’s Founding President Rauf R. Denktaş with his Artist Identity on the 100th Anniversary of His Birth.”