43rd Anniversary of the Founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Celebrated in Islamabad
Islamabad – 12 November 2026 (Adnan Hameef) : The 43rd anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was celebrated with a reception at the Mövenpick Hotel, Islamabad. The event commenced with the national anthems of TĂĽrkiye and Pakistan, followed by an address by the TRNC Ambassador to Islamabad, Buket Kop.
In her address, Ambassador Kop highlighted the determination and resilience of the Turkish Cypriot people in preserving their national identity, safeguarding their existence, and pursuing their right to self-determination through the establishment of the TRNC.
Ambassador Kop noted that more than five decades of negotiations aimed at achieving a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality had yet to produce a settlement due to the absence of common ground between the two sides. She emphasized that a realistic and sustainable way forward must be based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. Referring to the vision presented by the Turkish Cypriot side at the Cyprus talks in Geneva in April 2021, she reiterated that recognition of their sovereign equality and equal international status was a prerequisite for meaningful negotiations and a lasting settlement.
Ambassador Kop underscored that at its core the Cyprus issue is fundamentally a question of political equality and international status. She recalled the events of 1963, which led to the collapse of the power-sharing partnership established under the 1960 constitutional order, as central to understanding the issue. She observed that, despite decades of negotiations, a comprehensive and lasting settlement had yet to be achieved.
The Ambassador highlighted the issue of unequal international treatment, noting that the Greek Cypriot administration continues to be treated by the international community as though it represents the entire island, while the Turkish Cypriot people are regarded merely as a “community” and remain subject to political, economic, and diplomatic isolation. She stated that this imbalance had created a political comfort zone for the Greek Cypriot side and discouraged meaningful compromise and hindered efforts towards achieving a just and lasting settlement.
Drawing attention to the continued isolation of Turkish Cypriots, including restrictions affecting international travel, trade, sports, cultural activities, and participation in international platforms, Ambassador Kop called upon the international community to recognize the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people and the TRNC. She urged engagement on the basis of equality and mutual respect, stressing that ending the isolation and embargoes faced by Turkish Cypriots was not merely a political necessity but also a moral responsibility.
Ambassador Kop’s address also acknowledged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s longstanding calls for the recognition of the TRNC and the establishment of diplomatic, political, and economic relations with it.
Expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s longstanding support for the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people, Ambassador Kop described the enduring bonds of friendship, solidarity, and brotherhood between Pakistan and the Turkish Cypriot people as a source of strength and encouragement. She expressed hope for further strengthening political, economic, and diplomatic cooperation between Pakistan and the Turkish Cypriot people.
Concluding her address, Ambassador Kop emphasized that meaningful negotiations could only begin once the inequality between the two sides was addressed, stating:
“Meaningful negotiations can only begin once the inequality between the two sides is rectified. Only then can we truly move forward.”
The reception marked the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the TRNC and underscored the importance of the longstanding bonds of friendship and solidarity between Pakistan and the Turkish Cypriot people.
