The 2025 Budapest Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States marked a historic breakthrough for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Despite the absence of a formal invitation, the TRNC was officially declared an “inseparable part of the Turkic world,” reaffirming its rising diplomatic status. This declaration, backed firmly by Türkiye and endorsed by fellow Turkic nations, signals a major geopolitical shift, from isolation toward recognition, from silence to sovereign affirmation. The era of overlooking Turkish Cypriot legitimacy is decisively coming to an end.
Article Highlights
- TRNC Declared Inseparable Member of the Turkic World by OTS
- Erdoğan: “No Family Photo Complete Without Turkish Cyprus”
- Declaration Supports Two-State Solution Based on Island Realities
- TRNC Edges Toward Recognition Through Regional Observer Roles
A Defining Diplomatic Shift for the TRNC
The 2025 Budapest Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) marked a powerful milestone in the diplomatic journey of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). While some international observers fixated on procedural matters such as formal invitations, the TRNC emerged from the summit with a far more meaningful achievement: official recognition in the Budapest Declaration as an "inseparable part of the Turkic world." This moment represents not just symbolic inclusion but a tangible affirmation of the TRNC's cultural and political identity within the Turkic community. It is, without question, a breakthrough in the ongoing campaign for international recognition and justice for the Turkish Cypriot people.
The Budapest Declaration: Affirming TRNC's Integral Role
The Budapest Declaration, adopted on May 21, 2025, by OTS member states, goes beyond diplomacy. It validates the TRNC's historical and contemporary ties to the Turkic world. The declaration explicitly states:
“The TRNC, alongside other observers Hungary and Turkmenistan, is an ‘inseparable part of the Turkic world.’” Budapest Declaration from Turkic States
This unified stance represents a collective refusal to bow to political pressure aimed at marginalising the TRNC. It positions the TRNC as a legitimate actor in regional cooperation and future policymaking.
Türkiye's Unwavering Support
Türkiye, the founding guardian of Turkish Cypriot political rights, stood firm at the summit. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made it unequivocally clear:
“Any family photo without Turkish Cyprus would be incomplete.” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
His words were not only a gesture of solidarity but a powerful diplomatic signal to international institutions and decision-makers who persist in excluding Turkish Cypriot voices from the global arena. Türkiye’s stance challenges the status quo, reminding the international community that meaningful dialogue and sustainable peace in Cyprus cannot be achieved through selective recognition or silencing one side. Türkiye’s commitment, economic, political, and diplomatic, has been unwavering, offering not just moral support but tangible lifelines in trade, infrastructure, education, and regional alliances. It is through this strategic partnership that the TRNC continues to assert itself as a legitimate and sovereign entity on the world stage.
Budapest hosted Informal Summit of Heads of State of Organization of Turkic States
Erdogan also called the Middle Corridor a key route between the East and the West, urging stronger cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States for its success.
TCE Conclusion
The persistent misdiagnosis of the Cyprus issue by international institutions has led to decades of injustice and marginalization for the Turkish Cypriot community. Recognizing the TRNC as a sovereign entity is not only a matter of political accuracy but also a step toward rectifying historical wrongs.
A two-state solution, acknowledging the realities on the ground and the aspirations of both communities, offers a viable path forward. It is imperative for the international community to reevaluate its stance and engage with both entities on equal footing to foster a just and lasting resolution.