Greek Cypriot FM Heads to Uzbekistan Ahead of Turkic Council Meeting

According to reports, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstandinos Kombos has traveled to Uzbekistan to prevent 'negative developments' ahead of the Turkic Council meeting scheduled for July.

The Politis newspaper reported that the Greek Cypriot government has initiated diplomatic efforts amid concerns that relations between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and member countries of the Turkic Council could improve.

According to the newspaper, the TRNC will participate in this meeting as an observer, and Kombos will hold a series of meetings in Uzbekistan with the aim of establishing contacts with all member states of the Turkic Council except Azerbaijan.

The newspaper indicated that the invitation to the meeting in Azerbaijan was sent by President Ilham Aliyev, who is "working to elevate diplomatically" the TRNC along with Turkey.

The newspaper highlighted that Uzbekistan has accredited an ambassador who will invite the Cyprus Republic for the first time to meetings in the country, noting that the Cyprus Republic may not have as much influence on the Turkic Council as Turkey, but it is obliged to establish some form of relationship with the organization and highlight its presence.

The article also mentioned the presence of many Uzbek citizens living in the TRNC, especially in the İskele region, who are buying real estate, which is another factor considered by the Cyprus Republic.

While the possibility of the TRNC being recognized by the organization seems remote due to the organization's reluctance to pave the way for the emergence of other 'separatist entities,' the newspaper claimed that the Cyprus Republic is "aware of the danger" due to Turkey and Azerbaijan's leading roles.

The newspaper further reported that a source from the Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry anticipated that member countries of the organization would not take any action to elevate the TRNC diplomatically, emphasizing that the Cyprus Republic, backed by the EU, constitutes a strong pressure factor, and the EU is an important partner for the organization.