ISLAMABAD (S Awan) The 43rd foundation day of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was celebrated with a grand ceremony in Islamabad, where Ambassador Buket Kop urged the international community to the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The event, held at a local hotel in Islamabad, began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Turkey. Speaking on this occasion, the Ambassador of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in Islamabad, Buket Kop, said that the Turkish Cypriot people have fought for a long time to protect their national identity, defend their existence and achieve the right to self-determination.

She said that the Turkish Cypriot people continue to face restrictions and isolation regarding international travel, trade, sports, cultural activities and participation on global platforms. The international community should establish relations with the Turkish Cypriot people based on equality and mutual respect.

 Ambassador Buket Kop said that negotiations continued for more than five decades to solve the Cyprus problem, but no agreement could be reached due to the lack of common ground between the parties. She clarified that according to the position of the Turkish Cypriot side, recognition of sovereign equality and equal international status is the basic condition for meaningful negotiations and a lasting political solution.

Referring to the Cypriot talks held in Geneva in April 2021, she said that the Turkish Cypriot side had made the principle of sovereign equality on a two-state basis the central point of its proposed solution.

The ambassador thanked Pakistan for supporting the position of the Turkish Cypriot people and said that there are deep relations of friendship, solidarity and brotherhood between Pakistan and the Turkish Cypriot people. She expressed hope that political, economic and diplomatic cooperation between Pakistan and Northern Cyprus will be further promoted.


The event was attended by dignitaries from diplomatic circles and other walks of life.