Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz met with the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler on Wednesday, during his one-day working visit to the TRNC.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of the TRNC’s international status and Türkiye’s role as a guarantor state.

Vice President Yılmaz and Speaker Öztürkler first held a private meeting before joining a broader discussion in the Parliament’s Honor Hall. The extended meeting included Türkiye’s Ambassador to Lefkoşa, Yasin Ekrem Serim, Deputy Chairman of the Türkiye-TRNC Friendship Group in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), AK Party Hatay MP Hüseyin Yaman, and members of the TRNC Parliament’s Presidential Board.

Speaker Öztürkler expressed condolences to Türkiye over the recent Kartalkaya fire, saying, “Our motherland is in mourning, and we share Türkiye’s grief.”

He also acknowledged Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to enhance the TRNC’s international recognition, particularly through the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Emphasizing the TRNC’s inherent rights and sovereign equality, Öztürkler stated, “Both our motherland and we stand firm in securing the TRNC’s rightful international status.

Recent developments in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, including the militarization efforts of the Greek Cypriot Administration and energy-related disputes, underscore the critical importance of Türkiye’s guarantorship. Your visit strengthens us.”

Vice President Yılmaz echoed similar sentiments, thanking the TRNC for its solidarity following the Kartalkaya fire.

“This tragedy has once again shown that we are one nation, sharing both joy and sorrow,” he said.

Highlighting the role of parliaments in upholding national will, Yılmaz commended TRNC lawmakers for their efforts in parliamentary diplomacy.

“You not only legislate but also advocate for the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots on international platforms.”

He emphasized Türkiye’s ongoing cooperation with the TRNC on numerous projects aimed at economic growth and public welfare.

Rejecting ineffective past negotiations, Yılmaz reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering support. “As both a brotherly nation and a guarantor state, we will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots with all our strength and resources, defending their rights alongside you.”