It's Time to Reconcile with Reality: Erdogan Calls on the International Community

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced the necessity for the international community to recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and to develop comprehensive cooperation with it.

“It is time for the international community to reconcile with reality and establish diplomatic, political, and economic relations with the TRNC. It is time to put an end to the injustices against Turkish Cypriots. Turkey is in favor of a solution to the Cyprus issue based on the establishment of two states on the island,” Erdogan stated.

It should be noted that Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since Turkey's military invasion in 1974. As a result of military actions, approximately 37% of Cyprus' territory came under Turkish control, where the TRNC was declared in 1983, which is recognized only by Ankara in the international community. The southern part of the island remains under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, predominantly inhabited by Greek Cypriots.