Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK); “The Most Valuable Treasure is Our National Culture”

17 March 2025

Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK) (İngiltere Kıbrıs Türk Dernekleri Konseyi)

“The Most Valuable Treasure is Our National Culture” (“En Değerli Hazinemiz Milli Kültürümüzdür”)

 

The Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (CTCA) UK is an umbrella organisation of 20 Turkish Cypriot member associations. It acknowledges the recent statement issued by certain groups within the Turkish Cypriot diaspora in the UK on the 14th of March 2025, regarding the informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format that will be held on March 17 and 18 in Geneva, Switzerland. CTCA UK, however, firmly asserts that the position outlined in that statement does not reflect the views or aspirations of the 20 Turkish Cypriot associations and its members, together which represent 300,000 Turkish Cypriot people in the UK.

As the largest representative organisation for Turkish Cypriots in the United Kingdom, CTCA UK is firmly committed to advocating for the Turkish Cypriot community’s cultural, legal, and political rights. We firmly support the equal rights of Turkish Cypriots who have been denied their sovereignty by the Greek Cypriot administration since the failure of the Republic of Cyprus, where Turkish Cypriots were removed from the government in 1963.

The right to self-determination is a cornerstone of statehood and sovereignty, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter and International law. Turkish Cypriots possess an inherent right to self-governance and to establish and maintain an independent state, as exemplified by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The TRNC functions as a fully operational democracy with its own institutions, governance structures, and international agreements.

The failure of past peace processes to recognise the political equality of Turkish Cypriots has only prolonged instability and deepened divisions on the island. The continued insistence on a federal solution disregards the realities on the ground and undermines the Turkish Cypriot people’s right to exist as a free and independent nation. The concept of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation has repeatedly been rejected by the Greek Cypriot people. The recognition of two sovereign states remains the most fair, realistic, and peaceful way to resolve the Cyprus issue, guaranteeing stability and mutual recognition for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. This position reflects the historical realities and political status quo of the region.

CTCA UK urges all parties at the Geneva meeting to respect the democratic will of Turkish Cypriots and acknowledge their legitimate aspirations for self-determination. We also urge the international community, particularly the United Nations, the European Union, and guarantor states, to support a fair settlement based on sovereign equality.

CTCA UK remains steadfast in defending the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot community, advocating for a just solution that upholds international law, human rights, mutual and equal recognition between the two states of Cyprus.