Ankara, October 7, 2025 (TAK): “The TRNC, as the strategic heart of the Turkic World in the East Mediterranean, is always ready to contribute to the security and stability of the region,” said the Foreign Minister in his address at the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Gabala, Azerbaijan.

FM Ertuğruloğlu addressed the Council of Foreign Ministers of OTS, which met before the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State. Congratulating Azerbaijan on assuming the OTS chairmanship, he said, “Being part of OTS is a great honour for the TRNC.”

FM highlighted the importance of acting as the Organization of Turkic States, united not only by cultural and economic ties but also by common security and foreign issues in the face of challenges.

"Unfortunately, the geography in which the TRNC is located is at the centre of geopolitical turmoil and instability. The East Mediterranean is not only a strategic intersection for energy resources but also for international sea and air routes. Within this delicate balance, Cyprus and the TRNC are in an indispensable position for regional security and peace settlement. As the TRNC, we consider sustaining lasting peace on the island and its surroundings to be our most important and primary duty. The path to this lasting peace is through a solution based on fair, realistic, and cooperation between two equal sovereign states,” he added.

Stressing that “Cyprus is the name of a state island, but an island”, FM said, “On this island, there are two separate peoples and two separate states. Neither of these states has the right or authority to represent the whole island.”

Highlighting the ongoing armament efforts by the Greek Cypriot side amid the escalating conflict in the region, he said, “It's clear that the security and survival of the TRNC are closely tied to the support of Türkiye.”