TRNC

WNAM MONITORING: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will attend the informal expanded 5+1 talks on Cyprus, scheduled for July 16-17 in New York, President Ersin Tatar said Tuesday.

“We confirmed that we will be ready for the expanded 5+1 meeting in New York on July 16-17. Of course, we consulted with Türkiye on these processes,” Tatar said at a news conference following his meeting with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, and the head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus mission, Colin Stewart.

The TRNC has never abandoned its stance of dialogue, contact, and a constructive approach, he added.

Tatar recalled having some disagreements with Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Nikos Hristodulidis during the 5+1 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 6 to 17, and emphasized that the Greek Cypriot Administration must end the unjust detention of TRNC property owners.

Noting that Cuellar had been reappointed to make progress on six issues in the Geneva talks, he added that the desired progress has not been achieved to date.

He pointed out that dialogue and work with the Greek Cypriot side are continuing through various committees, adding: “Our conditions for moving on to official negotiations between the parties are clear.”

“The policy of ‘sovereign equality and equal international status’ that we have envisioned is important. If progress is made within the framework of direct flights, direct trade, and direct contact, which we have formulated as 3D, then official negotiations can also begin,” he said.

Tatar, on the other hand, mentioned that he will travel to Azerbaijan this evening to attend an Economic Cooperation Organization meeting in Khankendi, indicating that he intends to strengthen relations with ECO member states in order to maintain the TRNC’s presence and economic potential in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Decades-long Cyprus problem

Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement.

Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety.

In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece’s annexation of the island led to Türkiye’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, the TRNC was founded in 1983.

It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including a failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Türkiye, Greece, and the UK.

The Greek Cypriot administration entered the EU in 2004, the same year that Greek Cypriots single-handedly blocked a UN plan to end the longstanding dispute.

WNAM MONITORING: President Ersin Tatar met with the members of the UK Parliament in a meeting hosted by the All-Party-Parliamentary Group for the TRNC.
The meeting was attended by the APPG TRNC Chair Imran Hussain, and MPs Yasmin Qureshi, Nesil Çalışkan, Lord Rogan, Baroness Mobarik CBE, Lord Qurban Hussain, and Elliott of Ballinamallard.
Speaking at the meeting that was held in the Portcullis House in Westminster, President Tatar said, “The APPG TRNC has always been working proactively to communicate to ministers and parliamentarians the great injustice faced by the Turkish Cypriot people. I thank you all for your sensitivity and support on this issue.”
“We want to see concrete steps to end isolation. Even our youth and sports clubs cannot play international friendly matches. Such a situation should not exist in this day and age, and these issues should not be held hostage to a political solution, especially since the Greek Cypriot side has rejected proposed solutions over and over again” Tatar noted.
During the meeting, MP Imran Khan stressed the importance of the peoples’ “right to self-determination”, highlighting the need to influence decision-makers and enlighten them about the realities of Cyprus and the injustices faced by the Turkish Cypriot people.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel delivered a speech at the international conference “New World Order: Geopolitical Aspects and Global Challenges” held in Shusha, Azerbaijan.
In his address, Prime Minister Üstel stressed the unity of fate within the Turkic world and the strategic role of the TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to information issued by the Prime Ministry’s Office, the member states of the Organization of Turkic States, leaders of ruling parties from several countries were also present at the international conference organized by the New Azerbaijan Party.
In his speech, Üstel stressed the significance of the TRNC’s observation status in the Organization of Turkic States, stating, “The TRNC is an inseparable part of the Turkic world. It serves as the Turkic world’s gateway to the Mediterranean.”

WNAM REPORT: In response to a question regarding the “K.V. Mediterranean Tours Limited v. Türkiye” Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, the spokesperson of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Öncü Keçeli delivered the following statement:
“The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the case of “K.V. Mediterranean Tours Limited v. Türkiye”, announced on 10 June 2025, will be examined in detail in all its elements. Nevertheless, it is important that the determination of the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to effectively continue the work of the Immovable Property Commission has once again been reaffirmed.
We consider this latest judgment a timely response to the politically motivated arrests carried out by the Greek Cypriot Administration against the TRNC and third-country nationals engaged in legal activities under the TRNC’s property regime which has been repeatedly upheld by the ECtHR. Furthermore, this judgment stands as a lesson in the face of ongoing efforts to spread fear and intimidation, undermine the economic welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people, and disregard international law.
We share and support the views expressed in the statements made by the TRNC authorities on this issue.

LEFKOSA / ISTANBUL  ( WNAM MONITORING ):  Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar on Monday criticized recent arrests by the Greek Cypriot Administration of individuals who purchased property in the TRNC, describing them as “terrorist activities.”

Tatar received Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, the UN secretary-general’s personal representative for Cyprus, at the TRNC presidential compound.

Holding a press conference after the meeting, Tatar criticized the actions and conveyed their discomfort to Cuellar to be conveyed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Tatar said he informed Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulidis that the arrests were having a negative impact on the peace process.

He emphasized that no progress could be made, either in the UN-supervised trilateral meeting or in broader negotiations, unless the Greek Cypriot side halts the arrest of individuals who have purchased property in the TRNC.

He said the Greek Cypriot Administration is trying to strangle the TRNC, which is already under embargo and isolation, and labeled the actions as “terrorizing.”

“The terrorizing actions of the Greek Cypriot side continue to increase. The attacks are a miscalculation aimed at bringing us to our knees. We have conveyed this situation to the UN. There is a great discomfort due to property issues. Until these issues are addressed, the trilateral meeting will not benefit anyone.”

After the meeting, Cuellar said she listened carefully to Tatar’s concerns, they discussed confidence building measures agreed by the parties in Geneva in March, and that they need to achieve results on these issues for the next meeting in New York in July.

Cuellar said she had a good meeting with Tatar, adding that she will meet Christodoulides on May 30.

The UN official said she would try to do her best on Cyprus, and build a bridge between the parties for concrete results.

WNAM REPORT: President Ersin Tatar issued a written statement where he welcomed the 21 May 2025 dated Budapest Declaration of the Informal Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), that was hosted by Hungary.
President Tatar stated that the references in the declaration to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an “inseparable part of the Turkic World, to the work of the OTS,” and the emphasis of “solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people as integral part of the Turkic World in their aspirations to secure their equal inherent rights,” is a “significant step and a turning point in the honourable struggle of the Turkish Cypriot People”.
The President added: “The reference with regards to the equal inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot People is not only a statement of support, but a clear indication that our vision for a settlement based on sovereign equality and equal international status has found a response at the regional level.”
President Tatar stated: “The declaration welcomes the contributions of Hungary, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in their capacity as Observers, as an inseparable part of the Turkic World, to the work of the OTS. I also welcome the support expressed in the declaration to the need for a negotiated, mutually acceptable and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue based on existing realities on the Island.”
The President added: “Our absence from this Informal Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States cannot overshadow the importance and significance of the declaration. The Republic of Türkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has put forward the rightful struggle of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the highest level during the summit, where he stated that the family photo of the OTS shall be incomplete without the TRNC. The emphasis at the summit by Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, that the TRNC is an inseparable part of our family assembly, is also a diplomatic confirmation of this position.”
“As the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we express our gratitude to Motherland Türkiye, who stands by us under all circumstances and resolutely supports our just cause,” President Tatar said, adding: “The Republic of Türkiye, under the leadership of President Erdoğan, has defended the will of the Turkish Cypriot people in the strongest way, not only during this process but throughout history, by putting forward a principled position. The unwavering support of Türkiye is not only a guarantee for us, but also fundamentally important for regional justice and strategic balance.”
“We know that the hearts of every exceptional individual of the Turkic World are with us. This brotherhood is based on political determination and belief in a common future, beyond a cultural affiliation,” President Tatar said.
Stating that the “unsustainable situation on the Island is well known to everybody,” President Tatar said: “In December 1963, the Turkish Cypriot people were expelled from the state apparatus of the Republic of Cyprus by force of arms as part of the aspiration to unite Cyprus with Greece. This not only destroyed the partnership republic, it eliminated the structure that was primarily based on the will of the two founding partners. Since then, the Greek Cypriot leadership has been unilaterally using the title of ‘Republic of Cyprus’ and trying to present this usurped order as a legitimate representation both on the island and internationally. This structure has turned into a system that prevents the Turkish Cypriot people from being represented at the international level and systematically denies their equal rights. We are faced with a side that is isolating us and trying to render our existence invisible through political pressure, diplomatic siege and exclusionary campaigns. With this approach, the Greek Cypriot leadership is clearly violating international norms based on human dignity and is attempting to present its own illegitimate order as though it has the capability to represent Turkish Cypriot
People. This policy is fed by the same source as the oppressive mentality that denies our basic rights, which is also seen in the ongoing practices against the Palestinian people.”
President Tatar said: “In the face of all these injustices, the Turkish Cypriot People continue to defend their State, will and vision. The TRNC is an honourable member of the Turkic World and the bearer of regional stability, resistance and justice. Our path is open; our stance is clear.”

Erdoğan: “TRNC is an inseparable part of the Turkic World”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made remarks to the press aboard his return flight from Budapest, where he attended the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
President Erdoğan emphasized that the summit’s declaration highlighted the need for solidarity in securing the natural equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots as well as the necessity of reaching a solution based on the existing realities on the island.
He further noted that in addition to the Budapest Declaration, they adopted three documents as leaders, and the foreign ministers reached consensus on four documents.
“In this framework, Erdoğan stated, “ We agreed on statements that welcome the contributions of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to our work as an inseparable part of the Turkic World; that express solidarity in guaranteeing the natural equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots and stress the need to reach a solution based on the current realities on the island; that affirm the importance of preventing any attempt aimed at harming the unity among Turkic states; and that reiterate member states’ commitment to the integrity, institutional structure, and decision-making capacity of the Organization of Turkic States”.

Gardiyanoğlu attends International Family Forum in İstanbul
The Minister of Labour and Social Security Sadık Gardiyanoğlu travelled to İstanbul yesterday to attend the International Family Forum.
The forum kicked off in İstanbul on Thursday with the participation of ministers from 27 countries.
The two-day event, being held under the theme, “Our Family, Our Future,” is organized under the auspices of Türkiye’s Family and Social Services Ministry as part of the country’s 2025 Year of the Family initiative.

WNAM REPORT: We are pleased to announce that at the Informal Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States, held on 21 May 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, our country has been admitted as an Observer Member to the Turkic Academy. This significant development reflects the further institutional strengthening of our centuries-old historical and cultural ties with the Turkic world and stands as a tangible and meaningful outcome of the diplomatic efforts meticulously carried out by our Ministry over a considerable period.
The Budapest Declaration, adopted by the Heads of State during the Summit, explicitly reaffirms that our people are an inseparable part of the Turkic World and strongly expresses solidarity with respect to our inherent and equal rights. The clear references made in the Declaration demonstrate the collective will of the Turkic World towards unity and solidarity, while also conveying a strong and unambiguous message to the international community regarding this shared stance.
Moreover, the firm and unequivocal emphasis by H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Motherland Türkiye, in his address at the Summit, on the fact that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an integral part of the Turkic World, and his articulation of our expectation for full membership to the Organisation, has been a source of great satisfaction and strength for us. Similarly, the remarks made by H.E. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Motherland Türkiye, during the Meeting of Foreign Ministers, highlighting the unjust and inhumane isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and calling upon the Turkic World to act in solidarity in this regard, constitute a highly meaningful and valuable stance from our perspective.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all esteemed leaders of the fraternal Turkic States, in particular to H.E. President Erdoğan of Motherland Türkiye, for their unwavering support throughout this process. We hereby make known that notwithstanding the attempts of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo, in collaboration with the European Union, to undermine our efforts, we remain resolute in our commitment to building a shared future with the Turkic World.

WNAM REPORT: The Missing Bus Martyrs, remembered as the first victims of mass murder during the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for existence, were commemorated with a ceremony held in front of the Missing Bus Monument and Museum. The 11 Turkish Cypriots who vanished 61 years ago on May 13, 1964 while on their way to work at the British Bases in Dhekelia were abducted from the bus by Greek Cypriot forces, executed and their bodies discarded into a well.
The bodies of the martyrs were discovered in 2007 in the village of Oroklini during excavation conducted by the Committee on Missing Persons. In their memory, a documentary was produced and last year a monument and museum were inagurated in their honour.

WNAM REPORT: President Ersin Tatar made a statement to the press following his meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides in the UN Buffer Zone that was hosted by Colin Stewart, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Stressing that there are “two separate States, two separate authorities, two separate regions and two separate democracies in Cyprus for the past 60 years,” President Tatar stated that it is high time for the factual realities on the ground to be accepted, for there to be mutual respect, and to look forward to the creation of a culture of cooperation.

President Tatar said: “The most important necessity is for there to be mutual respect.  I have stated our readiness to cooperate on issues that will be of benefit to the two States and the two Peoples.”

President Tatar said that in the meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader, he had raised the issue of the intimidation policy by the Greek Cypriot leadership against the Turkish Cypriot People.  “These individuals are adhering to the laws of the TRNC. It is unacceptable to target such individuals, and this trend is being intensified. Such course of action only serves to increase tensions between the two Sides and most certainly does not come within the frame of the objective of new initiatives we have agreed to work on in order to create a culture of cooperation and build trust,” President Tatar said.

Stating that he had also raised the issue of a solar power plant in the buffer zone that will be funded by the European Union, President Tatar added: “The Greek Cypriot Side is rejecting a separate connection to each of the respective electricity grids. It is only natural that we request our share of the energy to be delivered directly to our electricity authority, Kıb-Tek.”

Stating that “with the cooperation of the two States, joint work can be carried out on technical issues regarding water resources, energy, mine clearance and the restoration of cemeteries,” President Tatar noted that in order to achieve progress in these areas, it is “essential for there to be equal status of the two sides”.

“There are two separate peoples, two separate democracies, two separate states in Cyprus”

President Tatar underlined that the Greek Cypriot leader, in his statement during the meeting, made continuous references to a “Reunited Cyprus”,  and did not even refer to a “federation”, adding: “This approach does not fit the factual realities on the ground in Cyprus. . . there have been two separate peoples, two separate authorities, two separate democracies and two separate States in Cyprus for the past 60 years. It is not possible for any process to progress if you brush these facts under the carpet.”

“The new committee will contribute to young people’s solution-oriented thinking and taking responsibility”

President Tatar said: “Today, we as the two leaders participated in the inaugural meeting of the newly established Technical Committee on Youth – which has become the 13th technical committee between the two Sides, consisting of 16 Turkish Cypriot and 16 Greek Cypriot youths, with gender equality.”

“I congratulated the youths from both sides,  reminded them of the responsibilities they face, and expressed my trust and confidence in them in tackling the issues and challenges that are facing the youths from both sides.  The role of the youth in shaping the future cannot be overstated as they are the future.  It is my view that they will provide a fresh new dynamic, energy, creativity and innovative ideas to tackling issues faced by the youths.”

“Intimidations by the Greek Cypriot Side against our people on the property issue are increasing tensions”

Referring to the intimidations by the Greek Cypriot Side against the Turkish Cypriot People on property issues, President Tatar said: “One of the main topics of my statement today was in relation to my great disappointment and concern over the surge of intimidations on Turkish Cypriots regarding their dealings with properties in the TRNC. This is totally unacceptable and is detrimental to the objectives of the “new atmosphere” – as stated by the UN Secretary-General, to create trust between the two Sides. It has the oppositive effect of what we want to achieve and is increasing tensions.”

President Tatar added: “Following the separately held simultaneous referenda for the UN Comprehensive Settlement (Annan) Plan in April 2004 that was rejected by the Greek Cypriot People by 76 per cent and accepted by the Turkish Cypriot People by 65 per cent, the TRNC established the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), that has been endorsed by the European Court of Human Rights. Former Greek Cypriot property owners can apply to the IPC and seek an effective legal remedy.  There is an existing mechanism to handle property claims. Therefore, why is the Greek Cypriot Side, after all these years, intensifying its intimidation against our people in this manner? We see this as being politically motivated and a harassment that needs to be stopped immediately.  This is what I have today stated to the Greek Cypriot leader. I have also asked Mr. Stewart to report this development to the UN Secretary-General.”

President Tatar stated that it is “unacceptable for people who invest through completely legal means within the framework of the laws of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be targeted and even for some individuals to be apprehended and detained in Southern Cyprus”.

LEFKOSA :  Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar and Nikos Christodoulides, head of the Greek Cypriot Administration, met on Monday in the island’s UN buffer zone under United Nations auspices.

Colin Stewart, special representative of the UN secretary-general and head of the UN peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP), hosted the meeting.

The meeting addressed the opening of new border gates between the two countries, restoring cemeteries on both sides, environmental and climate change initiatives, and a Greek Cypriot Administration policy for the detention of foreigners who buy land in the TRNC.

Following the meeting, Tatar told reporters he was pleased with the reappointment of Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar as the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Cyprus.

Tatar stressed that his stance on crossing points between the two countries remained the same and said he brought up the Haspolat and Akincilar crossing points again during the discussion. He also said the Greek Cypriot Administration continues to insist on its position on the crossing point issue.

Christodoulides also said the slow progress in the Cyprus issue was not helpful. He added that the results he expected from the meeting had been achieved but objected to Tatar’s demands to lift the sanctions and detention policy for foreigners who purchase property in the TRNC.

– Decades-long conflict

The Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement.

Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their own safety.

In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece’s annexation of the island led to Türkiye’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. The TRNC was founded on Nov. 15, 1983.

It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including a failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Türkiye, Greece, and the UK.

The Greek Cypriot administration was admitted to the EU in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots thwarted a UN plan to end the longstanding dispute.