Cypriot president advocates for Turkic solidarity and cooperation with Baku

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar has said that the way to the power of Turkic states is through solidarity and convergence of positions.

He made the remarks while addressing a group of Azerbaijani parliamentarians in the city of Kyrenia, Azertag reports.

The Cypriot leader noted the geostrategic importance of the TRNC, including in the context of natural resource control, trade and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Tatar drew attention to the fact that the port of Ceyhan, through which Azerbaijani oil is delivered to world markets, is located only 60 kilometres from Cyprus.

The president noted that the Turkish people of Cyprus have been resisting embargoes and isolations for many decades. "Our enemies are trying to break the will of the TRNC people, but the course of independence will remain unchanged," he emphasised.

He said Turkish Cypriots have never lost hope for rapprochement and dialogue with the Turkic state. "Today our dreams are coming true step by step. People in Lefkosha [city] is well aware that the TRNC is the southern frontier of the entire Turkic world," the Turkish Cypriot leader stated.

Ersin Tatar called the decision of the Parliament of Azerbaijan to set up a working group on inter-parliamentary relations with the TRNC historic, and also praised the current visit of Azerbaijani parliamentarians to Lefkosha.

"Thanks to the determination and political will of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the process of rapprochement of our countries is taking place today. I am grateful to the Azerbaijani leader for such significant developments for our country. Lefkosha is ready to cooperate with Baku, including within international platforms such as the Organisation of Turkic States," the politician said.

He expressed hope that the next steps on this path will be the opening of direct flights between Baku and Lefkosha, as well as the development of ties in the field of higher education.

"The TRNC government will consider steps to create conditions to attract more students from Azerbaijan to our country's universities," the President said.