The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has become a non-member observer state to the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu announced on Friday.
Çavuşoğlu wrote on Twitter that everything was developing “step by “step,” referring to Ankara’s efforts for the international recognization of the Turkish community in Northern Cyprus.
The foreign minister reiterated that Türkiye stands by the TRNC.
TRNC President Ersin Tatar on the same day described the country becoming an observer member as a “positive development.”
In a written statement, Tatar thanked Turkish diplomacy for paving the way for this development and said that the TRNC would continue its struggle.
“During these days as we are to celebrate the 39th anniversary of our republic, we will continue our honorable struggle by taking strength from this positive development that carries our status further.”
This will be the first time the TRNC is being represented in an international organization with its constitutional name.
The TRNC is also an observer member in the Economic Cooperation Organization and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as well as the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY). The country is represented in 18 countries with 25 representations including in Germany, the United States and Pakistan.