A clear message from Erdogan that the Cyprus issue remains a tool of political pressure in Ankara’s hands towards Nicosia, Athens and Brussels was sent from Gabala, Azerbaijan, by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ersin Tatar, the “president” of the occupied north.
The remarks came during the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Although the official agenda centred on developments in the Caucasus and strengthening cooperation between member nations, the presence of Tatar and Erdogan’s insistence on a “two-state solution” gave the meeting a distinctly political tone- one designed to step up pressure on the Republic of Cyprus and Greece.
Addressing the leaders of the Turkic States, Erdogan thanked Hungary for taking part as an observer, calling it the “western wing of the Turkic world,” and praised Tatar’s participation.
“I am pleased that the Turkic world is not leaving our Turkish Cypriot brothers alone on their road to a just two-state solution,” he said.
The message from Erdogan was clear: Turkey intends to continue using every diplomatic platform to promote the occupied areas as a legitimate political entity. His reference to the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and Hungary’s participation were widely interpreted as a signal to the European Union of Ankara’s wish to upgrade the occupied territories’ international standing.
Erdogan also proposed strengthening economic and energy cooperation through the Caspian corridor, creating a joint technological platform among Turkic countries, and designating 15 December as the World Day of the Turkic Language Family.
Tatar meanwhile held a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, sparking strong reactions in Cyprus. The meeting was seen as yet another attempt to equate the occupied north with recognised states — and as a symbolic step in Ankara’s campaign to normalise the “TRNC’s” international presence.
In his wider remarks, Erdogan also attacked Israel, describing it as “the greatest threat in the region,” while referring to developments in Gaza and Syria in an effort to portray Turkey as a force for stability and a protector of the Muslim world.
Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan:
— T.C. İletişim Başkanlığı (@iletisim) October 7, 2025
“Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı Sayın Ersin Tatar’ın Ankara, Şuşa ve Bişkek’in ardından şimdi de Gebele’de aramızda bulunmasından son derece bahtiyar olduğumu da vurgulamak istiyorum.
İki devletli adil çözüm yolunda,… pic.twitter.com/ZOnhVZcgtR
Also read: Erdogan returns to White House for Trump talks
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