Turkish Cypriot envoy urges international engagement to end isolation, says sovereign equality and equal international status are prerequisites for meaningful negotiations

ISLAMABAD, Thursday, November 12, 2026 (WNP): The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) marked the 43rd anniversary of its founding with a diplomatic reception in Islamabad, where its Ambassador, Buket Kop, called for international recognition of the political equality of Turkish Cypriots and an end to their continued political, economic and diplomatic isolation.

The reception, held here at a local Hotel, brought together members of the diplomatic community and other distinguished guests. The ceremony began with the national anthems of Türkiye and Pakistan, followed by an address by Ambassador Kop.

In her speech, Ambassador Kop highlighted the determination and resilience of the Turkish Cypriot people in preserving their identity, safeguarding their political existence and pursuing their right to self-determination through the establishment of the TRNC in 1983.

Addressing the longstanding Cyprus dispute, she said more than five decades of negotiations aimed at establishing a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality had failed to produce a settlement because the two sides had been unable to agree on a common basis for negotiations.

She maintained that a sustainable resolution required recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status of Turkish Cypriots, reiterating the position presented by the Turkish Cypriot side at the Geneva talks in April 2021.

Ambassador Kop argued that political equality and international status remained at the heart of the Cyprus question. She referred to the developments of 1963, which led to the collapse of the power-sharing arrangements established under the 1960 constitutional order, as a defining chapter in the dispute.

She said the absence of a comprehensive settlement over several decades demonstrated the need for a fresh approach based on equality, mutual respect and a realistic assessment of the positions of both sides.

The Ambassador also criticized unequal international treatment of the two communities, arguing that the Greek Cypriot administration continued to be treated as the representative of the entire island, while Turkish Cypriots remained politically and diplomatically marginalized.

According to Ambassador Kop, this imbalance had reduced incentives for meaningful compromise and complicated efforts to achieve a mutually acceptable settlement.

Drawing attention to restrictions affecting Turkish Cypriots in international travel, trade, sports, cultural activities and participation in international forums, she called on the international community to reconsider its approach and engage with the Turkish Cypriot side on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

She described ending the isolation and restrictions faced by Turkish Cypriots as both a political necessity and a moral responsibility.

Ambassador Kop also acknowledged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s longstanding advocacy for international recognition of the TRNC and the development of diplomatic, political and economic relations with it.

Expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s longstanding support and solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people, she described the relationship as one founded on friendship, brotherhood and mutual understanding.

She expressed confidence that these longstanding ties could be translated into stronger political, economic and diplomatic cooperation between Pakistan and the Turkish Cypriot people.

Concluding her address, Ambassador Kop stressed that meaningful negotiations would require addressing the existing inequality between the two sides.

“Meaningful negotiations can only begin once the inequality between the two sides is rectified. Only then can we truly move forward,” she said.

The reception provided an opportunity to highlight the historical bonds of friendship between Pakistan and the Turkish Cypriot people, while drawing attention to the continuing diplomatic efforts surrounding the Cyprus dispute.

The status of Northern Cyprus remains internationally disputed. The TRNC declared independence in 1983 and is recognized as a state only by Türkiye. The Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognized as the sovereign state representing the island. United Nations efforts to resolve the dispute have continued for decades, with the international community supporting a negotiated settlement.

The anniversary reception thus brought renewed attention to the Turkish Cypriot position on political equality, international engagement and the future of negotiations over Cyprus.