Grand National Assembly of Türkiye EU Harmonization Commission and TRNC National Assembly EU Committee met: Cyprus issue discussed

In a joint meeting held between the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye EU Harmonization Commission and the TRNC National Assembly EU Committee, the Cyprus issue, inter-parliamentary cooperation, relations with the European Union, and contacts developed with the Turkic world were discussed.

• Joint meeting of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye EU Harmonization Commission delegation and the TRNC National Assembly EU Committee was held in the TRNC

A joint meeting between the  Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (TBMM) European Union Harmonization Commission and the TRNC National Assembly Committee was held in the TRNC to discuss European Union Harmonization Law Drafts.

In the meeting, chaired by Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, President of the TRNC National Assembly EU Committee, and Burhan Kayatürk, President of the TBMM EU Harmonization Commission; the Cyprus issue, inter-parliamentary cooperation, relations with the EU, and contacts developed with the Turkic world were discussed.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, President of the TRNC National Assembly EU Committee, expressed his satisfaction with the visit of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye EU Harmonization Commission delegation, emphasizing that inter-parliamentary cooperation is of great importance for the political goals of the TRNC.

Dr. Savaşan stated that the main purpose of the EU Harmonization Commissions established within parliaments is to keep alive the will for European Union membership among the political future goals of the TRNC, which continues its struggle for existence with the strong support of the Republic of Türkiye, and to bring laws and regulations into line with the universal values ​​and exemplary practices of contemporary life, independently of EU membership. Savaşan stated that the European Union exhibits a biased stance on the Cyprus issue, noting that the acceptance of the Greek Cypriot side into EU membership in 2004, representing the entire island, negatively affected the solution process. Despite this, Savaşan emphasized that the TRNC continues on its way resolutely with the strong support of Motherland Turkey; and that economic developments, international contacts, and collaborations carried out under the umbrella of the Organization of Turkic States are increasing day by day.

Burhan Kayatürk, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye EU Harmonization Committee, expressed his satisfaction in visiting the TRNC with the committee delegation and thanked the TRNC authorities for their hospitality. In his speech, Kayatürk commemorated Dr. Fazıl Küçük, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot people's struggle for freedom, and Rauf Raif Denktaş, the founding president, on the anniversaries of their deaths, emphasizing that the Cyprus issue is a national case for Turkey. He stated that coordination between the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the TRNC National Assembly is of great importance, and that inter-parliamentary dialogue should be kept alive through reciprocal visits. Kayatürk noted that the meeting held between the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group of the TRNC National Assembly – ​​Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in Ankara on July 7-10, 2025, was extremely productive, and that they attach great importance to developing inter-parliamentary relations with Turkic states in order to increase the international visibility of the TRNC. Kayatürk emphasized that the Friendship Group established between the National Assembly of Azerbaijan and the TRNC National Assembly is an important step in this process. Recalling that a joint delegation consisting of the Turkey-TRNC Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group made an official visit to the TRNC on November 14-16, 2025, to participate in the 42nd anniversary celebrations of the TRNC's founding day, Kayatürk stated that they found it extremely important that these meetings were held under the slogan "Three States, One Nation Meetings."

Kayatürk noted that this understanding is a strong reflection of shared history, culture, language, and destiny. Emphasizing that a just, lasting, and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is only possible with the recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people by the international community, Kayatürk recalled that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the international community to recognize the TRNC in his last four addresses to the United Nations General Assembly.

Kayatürk stated that the international community should now recognize that no proposal that does not reflect the realities on the island and the mutual will of the parties will bring a solution, and that Motherland and guarantor Turkey will resolutely continue its support for the peace, prosperity, and development of the Turkish Cypriot people within the framework of its historical, legal, and humanitarian responsibilities.