Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar were recently seen together during a military parade in Nicosia, marking the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The event underscored Ankara's unwavering commitment to its stringent position on the Cyprus issue, which demands the international recognition of the self-declared state in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island before any UN-mediated talks can proceed.
Ankara's latest demonstration of this stance occurred on August 1, during an event in Ankara commemorating the “Day of the Armed Forces” of the northern Cypriot entity—an entity recognized only by Turkey. The gathering was attended by Turkey's Minister of National Defense, Yasar Guler, alongside the ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Gambia, signaling Ankara's ongoing efforts to rally international support for its cause.
In response, Athens has lodged formal protests with the diplomats and defense attachés of these countries in Ankara. Turkey continues to exert pressure on its close allies, such as Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Gambia, to recognize the northern Cypriot entity.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot authorities remain aligned with Ankara’s rhetoric, particularly concerning the Republic of Cyprus' involvement in military operations around Israel and Gaza. Ersin Tatar criticized the Republic of Cyprus, accusing it of making "irresponsible unilateral moves" that could endanger the island. He cited the presence of foreign military forces, including the USS Wasp, which had been docked in Limassol, as evidence of Cyprus' participation in what he described as "crimes against humanity" by Israel. Tatar condemned the Greek-Cypriot leadership's actions, expressing concern over the potential consequences for the region.
