Turkey announces acceptance of Northern Cyprus as an observer to the Organization of Turkic States

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has become an observer to the Organization of Turkic States, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Northern Cyprus was recognized only by Turkey.

“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been accepted as an observer to the Organization of Turkic States,” Çavuşoğlu said, his words cited by TRT Haber state TV channel.

The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council), established in 2009, has decided to change its name to the Organization of Turkic States at a summit in Istanbul in November 2021. The organization includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, with Turkmenistan and Hungary participating as observers.

Cyprus has been de facto divided between the Greek and Turkish communities since 1974 after an armed invasion by Turkey, provoked by a coup d’état in Cyprus and an attempt to annex the island to Greece. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was proclaimed in 1983 with 37% of the island occupied. It was recognized only by Turkey.