President Ersin Tatar on Thursday held an online meeting with representatives of the Turkish Cypriot Community living in Australia.

Speaking during the meeting, Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriots’ hearts and thoughts were always with their homeland no matter where they lived.

The Cyprus Problem and issues affecting the Turkish Cypriot community were among the issues discussed during the meeting.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the President, Tatar praised the efforts of the 50,000 strong Turkish Cypriot community living in Australia to protect and promote Turkish Cypriot culture and identity especially by celebrating national and religious holidays.

“This is very important in terms of teaching the new generations the importance of their history, heritage and roots,” Tatar said.

He stressed that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus exists with its institutions, organizations and universities.

Regarding the Cyprus problem, Tatar said that Turkey fully supported the Turkish Cypriot side’s position in favour of sovereign equality and the equal international status of the two sides.