The 13th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TÜRKPA) convened at the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.
Among the attendees was Zorlu Töre, Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly, who represented the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
In his address at the General Assembly, Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre emphasized the TRNC’s aspiration to become a full member of the Organization of Turkic States, expressing his belief that such a development would alleviate the pressures faced by the TRNC. “We believe that with our full membership, the pressures on us will cease,” Töre stated.
Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Numan Kurtulmuş, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our greatest hope is for Hungary and the TRNC to participate in our work as full members.”
Töre, attending as an observer member, underscored the importance of enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation within the organization.
He highlighted the pivotal role of parliaments as driving and unifying forces, advocating for stronger ties among Turkic states. “Turkic states should be bound together like a chain and never separated,” he said.
Reiterating the TRNC’s status as an independent and national republic, Töre noted that while the United Nations and the European Union do not recognize the TRNC, it holds observer membership in the Organization of Turkic States.
He expressed hope that this status would soon be elevated to full membership, thereby reducing external pressures on the TRNC.
After his speech, Töre invited all Turkic states to visit the TRNC, calling for the formation of a Friendship Group.
In his remarks, Numan Kurtulmuş, who also serves as the current Chairman of TÜRKPA, expressed satisfaction with the organization’s growth and its unique role among cooperation institutions in the Turkic world.
“I am very pleased to see that TÜRKPA is strengthening each year, gaining a unique place among Turkic cooperation institutions, and growing day by day,” Kurtulmuş said.
He also highlighted expectations for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to achieve full member status soon.
Following his speech, Kurtulmuş handed over the chairmanship of TÜRKPA, which he had held since April 28, 2023, to Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.