The Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmuş, the New Azerbaijan Party’s (YAP) Deputy Chairman Tahir Budaqov and the National Unity Party’s (UBP) General Secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu held a joint press conference on Monday following a full day of contacts.

Unity and solidarity was highlighted during the press conference held under the theme “Three States, One Nation.”

The Deputy Chairman of Türkiye’s Justice and Development Party (AKP)Numan Kurtulmuş and the Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Tahir Budaqov who were in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) held a joint press conference with the National Unity Party General Secretary Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu following the completion of their contacts on Monday.

The UBP General Secretary Hasipoğlu said that the TRNC government will continue to advocate in favour of a two-state solution in Cyprus.

He also stressed the importance of the TRNC being admitted into the Organization of Turkic States as an observer state just recently following the call made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the UN General Assembly for an end to the Turkish Cypriot people’s isolation and the recognition of the TRNC.

He also pointed out that the recognition of the sovereign equality and international status of the Turkish Cypriots was a precondition for the restart of negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

Noting that all these developments were thanks to the efforts of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Hasipoğlu expressed his gratitude to both leaders.

“This is the first time that such a high-level meeting is taking place. This is just the beginning. We will meet more frequently and voice the rightful cause of the TRNC. We shall continue on our way as one nation, three states,” the UBP General Secretary added.

AKP Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmuş for his part said that relations between the three countries will improve further.

Reminding that the TRNC was accepted as an observer member with its ‘constitutional name’ at the Organization of Turkic States meeting in Uzbekistan on November 11, 2022, Kurtulmuş said that this was the beginning of a new era and that the TRNC’s name will be heard more frequently in the international arena in the coming period.

“We will also work in cooperation for the international recognition of the TRNC. The ruling party of Azerbaijan is also here. This was also confirmed in the talks in Baku. As the three states become one nation, cooperation between our respective peoples will also increase. All of these will be confirmed by protocols in the coming period.” the AKP Deputy Chairman stressed.

Also speaking at the press conference, the Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Tahir Budaqov stressed the importance of relations between the three countries.

He said that they were pleased to see the TRNC as an observer member in the Organization of Turkic States.

Noting that there were many Azerbaijani citizens residing in the TRNC, Budaqov said that this was an indication of the spiritual bond between the two countries.

Responding to a question about direct flights, Budaqov said that he could not give any information on this issue at this time but added that that they will provide support in order to increase and develop relations in all fields.