Representatives from Türkiye’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), and the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) who are in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were received on Monday by the leader of the Democrat Party (DP)-Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu as well as the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP)-Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı.

The AKP’s Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtuluş and the Deputy leader of the New Azerbaijan Party Tahir Bodaqov embarked on their contacts in the TRNC on Monday morning with a visit to the Martyrs Cemetery in Boğaz.

They were later received by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in Lefkoşa.

As part of their other contacts, the two were received later by Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu and by the leader of the Rebirth Party-Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı.

Expressing his happiness from seeing the delegation in the TRNC, the leader of the Democrat Party-Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu said that the steps taken towards strengthening the TRNC and the bond that existed between their respective countries will continue.

Also receiving the delegation, the leader of Rebirth Party- Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan for the Turkic world and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

He said that Azerbaijan has been following the Cyprus Problem from the very beginning, supporting the Turkish Cypriots in their just cause.

For his part, the Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party Tahir Bodaqov expressed his appreciation for the hospitality shown to him.

He said that Azerbaijan always felt the strong support of Türkiye and that he believed that political and social relations between their countries will continue to develop.

Also speaking during the visits, the AKP Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmuş said that both their parties have been in government for the past 20 years.

“We have launched a new period by visiting the ruling coalition partners here in the TRNC,” he said.

Kurtulmuş drew attention to the strong bond that existed between their countries and said that Azerbaijan’s support had played an important role in the granting of observer membership to the TRNC at the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS).

He expressed the hope that the dialogue between their respective parties will pave the way for even stronger relations in the future.

“The period ahead will be a new era where all our efforts will be concentrated in achieving international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We are extremely proud to see the development and transformation the TRNC is undergoing every time we visit the island,” Kurtulmuş said.

He concluded his remarks by wishing all the candidates contesting in Sunday’s local elections success.