President Erdoğan to Visit Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Saturday
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pay an official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Saturday, May 3, according to a statement issued by Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun.
During the visit, President Erdoğan will inaugurate a newly established government complex in the TRNC capital, which houses the Presidency, Republican Assembly, Prime Ministry, and the National Garden. In addition, he will attend the TEKNOFEST TRNC award ceremony, Altun announced on the social media platform X.
The visit will also include a meeting between President Erdoğan and TRNC President Ersin Tatar. The leaders are expected to discuss the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, and a range of international developments.
The Cyprus dispute remains unresolved despite decades of negotiations under United Nations auspices. The conflict dates back to the early 1960s, when intercommunal violence forced Turkish Cypriots into enclaves for protection. In 1974, a Greek-backed coup in Cyprus prompted Türkiye to intervene militarily, acting as a guarantor state to safeguard Turkish Cypriots. This intervention ultimately led to the establishment of the TRNC in 1983.
While various peace initiatives have taken place over the years, including the failed 2017 Crans-Montana talks involving guarantor states Türkiye, Greece, and the United Kingdom, a lasting resolution has yet to be reached. Notably, in 2004, Greek Cypriots rejected a UN-backed reunification plan, despite its approval by Turkish Cypriots. Nevertheless, the Greek Cypriot administration was admitted into the European Union later that same year.
President Erdoğan’s upcoming visit reaffirms Türkiye’s continued support for the TRNC and the rights of Turkish Cypriots within the framework of international law and the island’s longstanding political realities.
