MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Statements by the President of Azerbaijan on achieving international recognition of the pseudo-state through the Organization of Turkic States – E-001683/2025(ASW)

The EU has consistently opposed any actions or statements that seek to upgrade the international status of the so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, a territory not recognised by the international community.

Such moves undermine the United Nations (UN) efforts to create a conducive environment for settlement talks. The EU only recognises the Republic of Cyprus as a subject of international law, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The EU has been closely monitoring developments since the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) Summit in Samarkand in November 2022, when the Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity became an observer to the organisation.

The EU has expressed its concerns through public statements, including one from the European External Action Service (EEAS) Spokesperson[1], and has actively engaged with all OTS Member States, including Azerbaijan, at all levels on this worrying development. The High Representative/Vice-President has reiterated these concerns in statements made in July[2] and November 2024[3].

The EU expects its partners to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and to avoid taking any steps that contradict this principle.

This expectation has been clearly communicated to Azerbaijan during the visit of the High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission on 25 April 2025, and the EU will continue to convey this message at all levels of political dialogue.

The EU remains committed to upholding relevant UN Security Council resolutions and fundamental principles of international law, particularly regarding state sovereignty, independence, and integrity. It will continue to work towards ensuring that these principles are fully respected.

• [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/cyprus-statement-spokesperson-observer-status-turkish-cypriot-secessionist-entity-organisation_en?s=230.
• [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/443430_fr.
• [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ots-statement-hrvp-josep-borrell-attempts-legitimise-turkish-cypriot-secessionist-entity_en.