Binali Yıldırım: Isolating Turkish Cypriots defies humanity and international law

Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) and former Turkish Prime Minister, made the remarks during the Turkic World Dialogue Forum, where political representatives, diplomats and officials gathered to discuss economic cooperation and regional developments.

Speaking at a panel entitled “From the Middle Corridor to a Common Production Ecosystem: An Economic Model for the Turkic World”, Yıldırım said Turkish Cypriots should not be excluded from international opportunities and regional cooperation.

“The TRNC is an inseparable and indispensable member of the Turkic world,” he said.

“To condemn Cyprus to isolation, depriving its people of regional and global developments and opportunities, is incompatible with humanity and international law.”

**Strong message on Eastern Mediterranean**

Yıldırım also addressed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, accusing certain countries of attempting to exploit the region’s natural resources while disregarding the rights and interests of Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots.

He insisted that Türkiye would continue to defend its interests in the region and would not accept attempts to undermine its maritime rights.

Referring to the international restrictions faced by Turkish Cypriots, Yıldırım said the Turkic states had an important role to play in supporting the TRNC and helping its people overcome isolation.

He pledged that Türkiye and other Turkic countries would continue their efforts on the Cyprus issue.

“We will continue to follow this cause and, as Turkic states, we will do everything we can,” he said.

**Trade opportunities for the Turkic world**

The panel also focused on the Middle Corridor, a trade route connecting Asia and Europe through Türkiye and Central Asia.

Yıldırım described the corridor as a strategically important route with considerable economic potential, but said it remained underused compared with alternative transport networks.

He pointed out that approximately 180 million tonnes of freight are transported annually along the northern route, compared with just 4.5 million tonnes through the Middle Corridor and around three million tonnes along the southern route.

Despite the difference, he argued that the Middle Corridor offered significant opportunities for investment, trade and economic integration among Turkic states.

The discussion was attended by TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, Turkish Cypriot MPs, members of the OTS Council of Elders and diplomats.

The forum brought together representatives from across the Turkic world to explore closer economic ties, improved transport connections and greater regional cooperation.

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