A serious rift has emerged within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) over the Cyprus issue. As previously reported, three member states of the organization — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan — signed a declaration during the European Union–Central Asia Summit held on April 3–4 in Samarkand. In the declaration, they expressed their commitment to the UN Security Council resolutions, which deem the declaration of independence by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as illegitimate. Furthermore, these republics have upgraded their diplomatic ties with the Greek Cypriot side by appointing resident ambassadors to the Republic of Cyprus.
Official Ankara has not yet commented on this decision, although in recent years, Turkey has made significant efforts to secure recognition of the TRNC, including within the framework of the OTS itself. However, there is no doubt that the establishment of direct diplomatic relations between Turkic republics and the Greek Cypriot side, in the interest of closer relations with the EU, has raised concerns in Ankara.
Although Turkey has not issued an official assessment of the policy shift by the three Central Asian republics concerning Cyprus, the government of Northern Cyprus responded with harsh criticism. TRNC Minister of Transport and leader of the Rebirth Party, Erhan Arıklı, in a broadcast on a Turkish TV channel, called on Ankara to take “measures” against these countries.
“Among the Turkic republics, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan hold entirely different views on the Cyprus issue. They place much greater value on cooperation with European countries. The European Union has allocated a project fund of 12 billion euros to Central Asian states. To secure a larger share of this fund, some Turkic republics chose to strengthen ties with EU members — Southern Cyprus and Greece. They upgraded their representations in southern Cyprus to embassies,” he said.
According to Arıklı, this decision “deeply wounded” the Turkish Cypriots.
“We cannot accept that the Turkic republics — which we consider friends and brothers — are opening embassies on the Greek Cypriot side while ignoring the TRNC, a country that holds observer status in the Organization of Turkic States. Fortunately, we have no issues with Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan,” he added.
Mustafa Destici, the chairman of the Great Unity Party — an ally of Turkey’s ruling party — also labeled the opening of embassies by Turkic republics in Greek Cyprus as “unacceptable.” He emphasized that Turkmenistan, like the TRNC, holds observer status in the OTS, yet completely ignores the plight of Turkish Cypriots.
Destici reminded the public that, despite Ankara’s insistent requests, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan blocked the TRNC’s admission as a full member of the OTS, and have now opened embassies in Greek Cyprus.
“They struck a blow to the spirit of kinship, brotherhood, and membership,” he stated.
Destici also asserted that Turkey’s Foreign Ministry and its representatives within the OTS must urgently address the situation and not “turn a blind eye” to what is happening. In his view, Ankara is obligated to persuade OTS members to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The politician stressed that “recognizing the TRNC’s independence is of vital importance for Turkey’s interests in the Eastern Mediterranean region.”
As three members of the Organization of Turkic States (or, as some pseudo-experts call it, the “Turkic Union”) have enhanced diplomatic relations with the Greek side of Cyprus, another member — Azerbaijan — has openly and unequivocally supported the right of the island’s Turks to establish their own independent state. As previously reported, President Ilham Aliyev, at an international forum at ADA University in Baku, reminded that Azerbaijan played a key role in granting the TRNC observer status within the OTS.
Aliyev also noted that Azerbaijan maintains active contact with Turkish Cypriots.
“Our brothers in Northern Cyprus have no doubt that we will stand by them until the end — until an independent state is established. And of course, we will stand by them until that state gains recognition by the international community,” said the head of state.
The leader of Turkish Cypriots, Ersin Tatar, expressed gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan for his support. Moreover, on April 11, during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a personal meeting took place between Ilham Aliyev and Ersin Tatar.
All this demonstrates that Azerbaijan is the strongest supporter of Turkish Cypriots within the Organization of Turkic States and advocates for the international recognition of their independence. But can Azerbaijan formally recognize the TRNC, especially now that three Turkic republics have deemed its independence declaration illegal and established official diplomatic relations with the Greek Cypriot side? It seems premature to make such a move.
Analyzing President Aliyev’s recent speech, it becomes clear that official Baku cares about the fate of Turkish Cypriots and recognizes their right to establish a state. However, the question arises: Would Azerbaijan’s recognition of the TRNC lead to international recognition of that right? Will the injustice against Turkish Cypriots be rectified? Will the European Union revise its stance on the Cyprus issue? These questions remain open. Thus, it can be assumed that Azerbaijan will not rush to recognize the TRNC but will continue to offer direct support to the Turkish Cypriots.
Azerbaijan’s active support — including direct contact between President Ilham Aliyev and TRNC leader Ersin Tatar — undoubtedly causes significant discontent in the Greek Cypriot side and in Greece, and also creates additional risks for Azerbaijan–EU relations. Nevertheless, Baku openly backs the Turkish Cypriots. President Aliyev’s recent remarks at ADA University triggered a notable reaction in Greek media and political circles.
For example, the Greek publication Prime News criticized Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for not responding to Aliyev’s statement. The article pointed out that Greece receives Azerbaijani gas and also serves as a transit route for its delivery to other European markets. For this reason, the publication suggests, Athens fears damaging relations with Baku and prefers to remain silent. Prime News labeled Greece’s position as a “betrayal” of Greek Cyprus.
Ilkin Shafiyev, commentator at haqqin.az
