The leader of the Turkic world, Turkey, has a diplomatic rift with Central Asian countries over the Cyprus issue.

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have signed a United Nations resolution recognizing Northern Cyprus as "occupied".

The three Central Asian countries have signed two controversial UN Cyprus resolutions, drawing a line with Turkey, which may trigger diplomatic disputes among allies.

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are all member states of the Turkic Council (OTS), which was established in Baku in 2009 based on common cultural and historical backgrounds, with its headquarters in Istanbul.

In early April, at the EU-Central Asia Summit held in Samarkand, the three countries signed a joint document supporting two UN Security Council resolutions passed in the early 1980s [Resolution 541 and Resolution 550]. These resolutions declared the independence declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and "all secessionist actions" as invalid.

International law grants the Republic of Cyprus full sovereignty over the entire island to EU member states.

However, since the TRNC joined the OTS as an observer in 2022 and attended multiple summits, it is noteworthy that it participated in the 11th summit held in Bishkek last year. Previously, the TRNC was not invited to attend the summit held in Astana.

Among the governments of Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan is most hostile to recognizing any form of sovereignty of the TRNC.

Since 2020, Central Asian countries have also sent ambassadors to Cyprus, attracting attention from other Turkic-speaking countries. Murad Nasyrbayev, author of the Eurasian Geopolitical Digest, believes that this latest decision marks a shift in foreign policy, differing from the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"Central Asian countries may continue to maintain ambiguity and continue to engage with both governments on the island of Cyprus," argued Nasyrbayev.

Instead, they chose to use the opportunity of their first high-level summit with EU representatives to express their stance on this matter.

Observers believe this might be due to the EU's agreement to provide more favorable conditions in visa requirements and trade, while promising to invest $12 billion in Central Asia.

Two years ago, EU foreign policy officials warned that countries supporting the OTS's decision to recognize the TRNC as an observer might face potential "negative impacts".

Although the Turkish government has not yet made an official response, the news has spread through diplomatic channels and sparked strong rebuttals from TRNC and Turkish officials.

Elhan Arıklı, Minister of Transport of the TRNC, and Mustafa Destici, chairman of the pro-government Great Unity Party, called the move unacceptable.

Arıklı said, "We cannot accept Turkic-speaking countries - which we consider friends and brothers - opening embassies on the Greek Cypriot side while ignoring the TRNC, which holds observer status in the OTS."

The TRNC pointed out that Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan still maintain friendly relations with this separatist region.

Nasyrbayev stated that the OTS could choose to downgrade the TRNC's status, prohibit it from entering the observer seats, or only invite the TRNC to participate in informal meetings and summits held in Turkey or Azerbaijan.

"Both scenarios would deal a significant blow to the reputation of the OTS and Turkey," Nasyrbayev concluded.

The OTS Summit scheduled for October in Baku will test these assumptions.

The article is compiled from an article titled "Central Asian Countries Have Diplomatic Rifts with Turkey Over the Cyprus Issue" published on April 18 by the think tank website "Geopolitics". The author, Paul Sobelo, is a journalist and researcher residing in Kazakhstan.

"Language Research | Compiled"

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829802216776716/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's views.