TRNC Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu spoke at the TDT Meeting

TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu spoke at the Unofficial Foreign Ministers Council Meeting of the Organization of Turkish States (TDT) held in New York within the scope of the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).

Ertuğruloğlu stated that the embargo and isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people excluded young people, athletes, artists and academics from international events, and said that the solidarity of the Turkish states is of great importance in overcoming this situation.

Ertuğruloğlu, who started his speech by expressing his condolences for the Kazakh soldiers who were martyred in the exercise in the Caspian Sea, said, "I express my condolences to my Kazakh brothers."

Reminding that TRNC joined TDT as an observer member at the Samarkand Summit in November 2022, Ertuğruloğlu said, "We continue to actively integrate with TDT cooperation organizations, especially TURKPA, the Union of Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Industry, TURKSOY, Türk-Ay, Aksakallar Council and the Turkish Academy."

Stating that TRNC regularly participates in the Aksakallar Council meetings, Ertuğruloğlu reminded that the 17th Meeting of the Council was hosted in May 2025 with the participation of all member states.

Ertuğruloğlu noted that at the General Assembly of the Turkish University Association held in Tashkent in October 2025, the membership applications of 7 universities in TRNC were accepted, and the membership process of 4 more universities is expected to be completed.

Stating that TRNC regularly participates in the Turkish Academy activities, Ertuğruloğlu said that it is planned to host the event titled "Turkish World Economies Report 2025" in Nicosia in October 2026.

Stating that increasing the visibility of TRNC within TDT will contribute to the entire Turkish world, Ertuğruloğlu drew attention to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Ertuğruloğlu said, "The solidarity of TDT member states is of vital importance in terms of our efforts to advance the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people."

Calling on brother Turkish states, Ertuğruloğlu stated that they expect their contribution to strengthening the role of TRNC within TDT and supporting its place in the international arena.

Ertuğruloğlu noted that they are ready to develop cooperation with Turkish states in every field, from economic and commercial cooperation to culture, education and tourism.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side officially withdrew its agreement on the federation model in 2021, Ertuğruloğlu stated that they advocate the creation of a new negotiation ground between the two existing states on the basis of sovereign equality and equal international status.

Ertuğruloğlu said, "We, as the Turkish Cypriot side, continue our commitment to a solution that will be built on the basis of the sovereign equality and equal international status of two separate states."

Calling on the international community, Ertuğruloğlu said, "It is time for the international community to recognize the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and to end the inhumane discrimination we experience."