In this interview, we spoke with Mr. Gökhan Güler, who currently serves as Special Advisor to the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and previously held the position of Chief of Staff of the TRNC Assembly between 2009 and 2013. We discussed the past and present relations with the Turkic World, the TRNC’s struggle on the international stage, and its vision for the future. In the interview, Mr. Güler shared his years of experience and the ongoing efforts related to the Turkic World, highlighting both historical developments and the significance of the steps being taken today.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to him for his sincere and valuable remarks.

General Background and Experience

1) We know that you began working with the World Turkish Youth Union (DTGB) in 1992. What motivated you to become involved in these activities at that time?

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s statement from 1933 was a major source of inspiration for me from childhood onwards, igniting my interest in the Turkic World and motivating me to engage in related activities.

In a 1933 speech, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said:

“Today, the Soviet Union is our friend, our neighbor, and our ally. We need this friendship.
However, no one can foresee what may happen in the future.
Just like the Ottoman Empire, just like Austria-Hungary, it may collapse and disintegrate.
The nations it holds tightly today may slip away from its grasp.
The world may reach a new balance.
When that happens, Turkey must know what to do.
We have kinsmen under this friend’s rule whose language, faith, and essence are one with ours.
We must be ready to embrace them.
Being ready does not mean waiting in silence for that day to come.
Preparation is necessary.
How do nations prepare for such a day?
By keeping spiritual bridges strong.
Language is a bridge…
Faith is a bridge…
History is a bridge…
We must delve into our roots and unite within the history divided by past events.
We must not wait for the ‘External Turks’ to approach us; rather, we must reach out to them ourselves.”

Before the Cold War ended, the Bulgarian Communist Party attempted to assimilate Turks and other Muslims living in Bulgaria by banning religious practices and even forcing them to change their names. These oppressive policies triggered a widespread resistance movement across the country. Ultimately, when Todor Zhivkov, the head of the communist regime, failed to achieve his goals, he opened the borders with Turkey, resulting in the migration of approximately 360,000 Bulgarian Turks to Turkey.

Following the end of the Cold War, in 1991, states such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan declared their independence one after another.

All these events greatly influenced me and strengthened my desire to work for the Turkic World.

Because of my deep interest in the Turkic World, I first became actively involved internationally in 1992 by joining the World Turkish Youth Union (DTGB). Since then, I have participated in and supported DTGB’s activities to the best of my ability. I am proud that, after all these years, the World Turkish Youth Union remains strong and continues its mission today.

2) How did your initial activities related to the Turkic World begin, and what was the atmosphere like back then?

My first activities related to the Turkic World took place under the auspices of our Founding President, Rauf R. Denktaş, through various Turkic World organizations. At that time, the level of awareness and motivation for the Turkic World was not as high as it is today. We worked with determination, perseverance, and faith to promote these ideals.

Relations Between the TRNC and the Turkic World

1) Could you tell us about the efforts you have undertaken to strengthen the TRNC’s ties with the Turkic World?

To strengthen the TRNC’s bonds with the Turkic World, we sought to establish heartfelt connections and institutionalize relations with Balkan countries as well as Caucasian and Central Asian states immediately after the Cold War.

We visited countries such as Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in particular, along with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, as much as circumstances allowed. Additionally, we met with representatives of these countries at various events held in both the TRNC and Turkey, building strong ties of friendship.

Within this framework, we undertook several initiatives under the umbrella of TURKSOY, visiting Balkan and Central Asian countries whenever possible and participating in events held in Turkey. We also followed Turkish diaspora activities closely, ensuring that the TRNC was recognized in these spheres.

Over time, individuals we initially connected with went on to become influential figures in their respective countries — senior journalists, broadcasters, academics, cultural leaders, businesspeople, members of parliament, ministers, prime ministers, speakers of parliament, and even presidents.

Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, we also worked to establish ties with Turks living in North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as in Bulgaria and Western Thrace, fostering mutual visits and exchanges.

In 2010, we established the Media Platform of Turkic Speaking Countries and Communities in Ankara, Turkey, and held significant meetings under this platform.

Furthermore, we developed and strengthened our ties with Iraqi Turkmens and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

2) How did you manage the process of having the TRNC flag represented at the Kurultay in Hungary in 2010?

I closely followed the work of András Bíró, an anthropologist and sociologist who is the President of the Hungarian Turan Foundation, during his research in Kazakhstan to trace the Turkic roots of the Hungarian people.

Through his research, Bíró discovered that his ancestors held Kurultays (traditional assemblies). He first organized a Kurultay in Kazakhstan and later attempted a similar gathering in Hungary.

When Bíró began working toward organizing a large-scale Turkic World Kurultay, I reached out to him and expressed that the TRNC, as an inseparable and integral part of the Turkic World, should also be represented in this event. Fortunately, following consultations, he welcomed our participation, and in 2010, the TRNC was officially included in this historic organization.

Since then, the TRNC has been a recognized member of the Kurultay organized by the Hungarian Turan Foundation. From that year onward, the TRNC flag has proudly flown at all Kurultay events and has been carried ceremonially on horseback. Bringing such an honor to my country fills me with pride.

Challenges Faced During the Process

On August 14, 2012, in Bugac, Hungary, the TRNC flag was raised during the 2nd World Turkic-Turan Kurultay, which hosted delegations from 21 countries.

As the Chief of Staff representing the TRNC at the Kurultay, I expressed to the Anadolu Agency how deeply moved we were by the warm reception we received.

That day, the TRNC flag was paraded on horseback before an audience of over 100,000 people, displayed alongside the flags of 21 other nations. This moment demonstrated that the Hungarian people already recognized and embraced the TRNC.

The presence of the TRNC flag at the Kurultay provoked strong reactions from Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration. However, Hungarian Turan Association President András Bíró firmly responded to their objections, stating that the TRNC is a free country and that its flag has every right to be displayed.

The event was visited by nearly 300,000 people over three days, and the strong interest shown toward the TRNC filled us with great happiness. From then on, we decided to attend future Kurultays with even larger delegations.

20th Youth Days and Kurultay

1) What are your expectations for the Kurultay that DTGB will organize in the TRNC between September 13-17?

My expectations are that this Kurultay will help foster steps toward unity and solidarity within the Turkic World, and that participants will gain a deep understanding of the TRNC’s struggle for existence and freedom, taking this awareness back to their countries to advocate for our just cause.

2) How do you think this Kurultay will contribute to the relationship between the TRNC and the Turkic World?

This Kurultay will make a significant contribution to these relations. More than 300 young people from across the Turkic World will be coming to the TRNC.

These young participants will, during and after the event, become advocates for the just cause of the TRNC. As they graduate from universities and assume various roles in their countries, they will support us and help counter the injustices we have faced.

3) What topics do you expect to be highlighted during the Kurultay in terms of participation and content?

I expect the Kurultay to focus on raising awareness about how the Turkic Diaspora can unite and present a collective stance against injustices, while also contributing to strengthening unity and solidarity.

Future Perspectives

1) In your view, is the TRNC’s current position within the Turkic World sufficient? What more can be done to advance it further?

The history of Cyprus negotiations spans nearly 50 years, from June 3, 1968, to July 7, 2017, under the auspices of the UN Good Offices Mission. Despite countless negotiations, efforts to establish a federal solution were repeatedly blocked by the unyielding and uncompromising stance of the Greek Cypriot side, ultimately leading to the collapse of talks at Crans-Montana and the end of the federation option.

In 2020, at a time when the federal solution framework had clearly failed, President Ersin Tatar introduced a new vision based on “sovereign equality and equal international status,” advocating for a two-state cooperation model.

More than half of the Turkish Cypriot population supported this vision in the 2020 presidential elections, electing Mr. Ersin Tatar as the TRNC’s 5th President.

In April 2021, President Tatar presented this vision at the 5+UN meeting in Geneva, attended by the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides, as well as the guarantor countries Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom, under the supervision of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

For 61 years, the UN has ignored the will of the Turkish Cypriot people.
On March 4, 1964, with Resolution 186, the UN Security Council took a political decision to recognize the Greek Cypriot side — who had forcibly excluded Turkish Cypriots from the state partnership established in 1960 — as the sole legitimate authority. This allowed them to rapidly transform the 1960 partnership republic into a unitary Greek Cypriot state.

The TRNC will eventually attain its rightful place internationally. The UN Security Council, instead of resolving the conflict, has perpetuated injustice and stalemate by creating a comfort zone for the Greek Cypriot side.

A recent positive development was the TRNC becoming an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States, followed by the TRNC Assembly obtaining observer status in TURKPA. These milestones signal growing political, social, economic, and cultural ties with the Turkic World.

The support of the Turkic World is vital for the TRNC to achieve its rightful international status.

The Victory in Karabakh as a Symbol of Unity

Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Karabakh War became a powerful symbol of unity and solidarity within the Turkic World. It demonstrated how much can be achieved when we come together and act as one.

Similarly, the Turkish Cypriot people expect the same solidarity and support for the TRNC.
Isolation can only be broken through solidarity, as we are the only independent island state in the Eastern Mediterranean and the southwestern frontier of the Turkic World.

We call on Turkic states to recognize the TRNC and establish diplomatic, political, and economic relations with us.

2) What messages would you like to convey to young people, especially university students, regarding the Turkic World?

I would like to convey the following messages to young people and university students:

  • Increase their awareness to ensure the Turkic World moves forward confidently in unity and solidarity,

  • Engage in economic, social, cultural, sports, and academic initiatives and support such efforts throughout their lives,

  • Recognize that in today’s world, nations that unite under common frameworks grow stronger, while those acting alone grow weaker — and thus work tirelessly to promote unity and cooperation within the Turkic World,

  • Understand that the TRNC is an integral part of the Turkic World and provide consistent and unwavering support against the injustices faced by our people.

Mr. Gökhan Güler has shared with us both the historical journey and the current state of relations between the Turkic World and the TRNC.

We thank him for his valuable insights and heartfelt expressions, and we hope that these ongoing efforts will foster unity, solidarity, and strong cooperation across the Turkic World.