(Commonwealth_Europe) Several Turkic states in Central Asia have recently taken steps toward formally recognizing the Republic of Cyprus, a development that could reshape regional alliances and diplomatic balances, potentially causing ripples in both European and Eurasian politics.
While Cyprus has long been internationally recognized as a sovereign nation—except by Turkey, which alone recognizes the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)—the recent gestures of support from Turkic nations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan mark a significant diplomatic evolution.
The move involves establishing diplomatic relations with the Greek Cypriot government and aligning with United Nations Security Council resolutions that recognize it as the sole legitimate authority of Cyprus.
Ozgur Ozel, the spearhead of Turkey’s chief opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), delivered a sharp rebuke of the government’s foreign policy approach during a gathering in Yozgat, directing it to what he described as a glaring diplomatic failure. His criticism came from a significant international development: a joint declaration signed in Samarkand by five Central Asian states—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan—alongside the European Union. The declaration reaffirmed adherence to United Nations Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550, both of which reject the legitimacy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and call on all UN member states not to recognize or assist the breakaway state.
Ozel criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) for failing to secure even symbolic support for the TRNC, despite years of strategic investment in fostering relationships across the Turkic-speaking region. “You created the OTS, you invested in these partnerships, yet when the time came to defend a national cause, you stood alone,” he declared. “How did we end up here?”
The declaration from Samarkand, which reiterated support for UN resolutions that characterize the TRNC as a secessionist entity, sparked not only political condemnation but also emotional reactions from across Turkey’s political spectrum. Resolution 541, passed in 1983, called for the non-recognition of the TRNC following its unilateral declaration of independence. Resolution 550 went further, urging states not to assist or acknowledge the breakaway administration in any capacity.
Backing Ozel’s statements, other opposition figures voiced similar concerns. Ankara’s mayor, Mansur Yavas, also affiliated with the CHP, criticized the government’s silence in the face of what he described as a major foreign policy humiliation. Remaining quiet in this moment sends the wrong message—not only to the international community, but also to the citizens of this country, he said. It indicates weakness, hesitancy, and a lack of direction.
Muharrem Ince, a former CHP presidential candidate and current leader of the Homeland Party, added his voice to the chorus of criticism. He drew attention to what he described as long-standing failures under the AK Party’s rule. Ince argued that Turkey had consistently missed key opportunities to shape global perceptions of the Cyprus issue, such as not blocking the Republic of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union. “We’ve watched as Turkic republics—our cultural brothers—stood with the EU in calling Turkey an occupier,” he said. “This government has failed in diplomacy just as it has in education, the economy, and agriculture.”
For many in Turkey, the episode has become more than just a question of foreign relations. It has turned into a broader debate over the country’s standing in the world and the effectiveness of its current leadership. What was once a source of pride—the vision of uniting the Turkic world—now stands in stark contrast to recent events, as the very allies Ankara hoped to rally around the TRNC instead appear to have distanced themselves.
The opposition has seized on the fallout from the Samarkand declaration as a clear sign that Turkey’s foreign policy is in disarray. They argue that the government’s failure to defend core national interests on the international stage is indicative of deeper systemic issues. For them, it’s not just about Cyprus; it’s about Turkey’s influence, alliances, and place in the changing world order.
However, back in Cyprus, the new developments may give a chance for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to unite as one nation.
