Erdogan calls for recognition of Turkish Cypriot rights at UN General Assembly

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the international community to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and criticized rising attacks on mosques and the Quran, during his speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

“Today, I once again invite the international community to recognize the TRNC and establish diplomatic, political, and economic relations,” Erdogan said, reiterating that “the inherent rights of Turkish Cypriots, including sovereign equality and equal international status, must be reaffirmed, and the isolation must end.”

Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s central role in the Eastern Mediterranean and reminded listeners of the ongoing conflict in Cyprus. “It’s been 50 years since the Cyprus Peace Operation and 61 years since the Cyprus issue emerged due to the Greek Cypriots’ seizure of the partnership state. From that day until now, peace and tranquility have prevailed on the island.”

He reiterated his stance that the federal model for Cyprus is no longer viable, insisting on the reality of “two separate states and two separate peoples” on the island. Erdogan’s plea for the international recognition of Northern Cyprus follows decades of diplomatic isolation for the TRNC, recognized only by Türkiye.

Following Erdogan’s speech, TRNC President Ersin Tatar expressed his gratitude, saying that Erdogan had once again brought the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle to the world stage. “President Erdogan has ensured that our just cause is once again brought to the global agenda,” Tatar said in a statement.

Tatar echoed Erdogan’s call for the international community to recognize the TRNC, stating, “The Turkish Cypriot people are honored by President Erdogan’s words.”

The ongoing Cyprus dispute remains a significant issue in international diplomacy, with the island divided since Türkiye’s 1974 military intervention in response to a Greek Cypriot coup backed by Athens. Despite numerous attempts, the conflict remains unresolved, and the TRNC remains diplomatically isolated.