Erdoğan advocates for international recognition of Northern Cyprus at OTS summit

Ahead of the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Ankara on October 29-30, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan published an article titled 'The Century of the Turkic World: From Solidarity to Integration'. In his intervention, Erdoğan emphasized his country's commitment to upgrading the status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and gaining international acceptance of the 'sovereign equality' of Turkish Cypriots.

Erdoğan described Turkish Cypriots as an integral part of the Turkic world and called for expanding the utility of the TRNC's observer status within the OTS. He urged the member states to help end what he termed 'unjust isolations' of the territory and advocated for the recognition of the TRNC's 'equal international status'. These political goals coincide with the 103rd anniversary of the Turkish Republic, as Turkey officially takes over the rotating presidency of the OTS from Azerbaijan.

The summit agenda focuses on strengthening economic, strategic, and energy cooperation among member states, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. While the summit aims to deepen regional security and trade ties across Central Asia and the Caucasus, Ankara is actively using the platform to push for the diplomatic recognition of the TRNC despite ongoing international opposition to the partition of Cyprus.