Erdoğan renews call for international recognition of the TRNC

Speaking to reporters aboard his plane on the return flight from Azerbaijan, Erdoğan was asked what Türkiye expected in the near term and what steps it might take to build on its calls for recognition, including at the Organisation of Turkic States summit.

“We will never leave the Turkish Cypriot people alone or helpless,” Erdoğan said. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for a two-state settlement, saying it was time to accept that there were “two separate peoples and two separate states” on the island.

Repeating his appeal at the United Nations, Erdoğan said the sovereign equality and equal international status of Turkish Cypriots should be formally recognised and called for an end to what he described as their “inhumane isolation”.

Erdoğan said Türkiye would continue to back the TRNC in international forums and pursue projects to raise its profile. He gave no details of new initiatives or a timetable.