(MENAFN) Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Sunday for increased diplomatic, political, and economic cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), emphasizing that the “decades of injustice” faced by Turkish Cypriots must come to an end. Speaking at a groundbreaking event in Lefkosa commemorating the 51st anniversary of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the TRNC.

“No matter how many obstacles are placed to block the Turkish Cypriots’ progress, we always find new ways forward,” Erdogan said. He reiterated Türkiye’s strong backing of a two-state solution on Cyprus and urged the international community to recognize the realities of the island’s division, expressing confidence that this acknowledgment will come in due course.

Erdogan also emphasized tourism’s vital role in boosting the TRNC’s economy and international profile. He praised the transformation of the TRNC into a prominent hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, not only in transport but also in tourism, employment, and investment.

The Turkish president affirmed Ankara’s full support for TRNC President Ersin Tatar and his government in building the political and economic future of Northern Cyprus.

Background: Cyprus remains divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriots despite numerous UN-led peace efforts. Starting in the 1960s, ethnic tensions forced Turkish Cypriots into enclaves for safety. In 1974, Türkiye launched the Peace Operation following a Greek Cypriot coup aiming for union with Greece, to protect Turkish Cypriots. This led to the establishment of the TRNC in 1983. Peace talks have been intermittent, including a failed 2017 effort in Switzerland. In 2004, the Greek Cypriot Administration joined the EU and simultaneously blocked a UN plan aimed at resolving the dispute.

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