Central Asian states send envoys to Cyprus, accept UN resolutions on occupied north

Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have pledged support for Cyprus’ sovereignty effectively halting Ankara’s efforts to use those states as a vehicle for recognition of the occupied northern part of the country, Cypriot and Turkish media have reported.

The three countries are members of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), along with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan, while Hungary, Turkmenistan and the unrecognized occupied north of Cyprus are observers.

During an April 4 summit with the European Union in Samarkand, the countries pledged to uphold United Nations Security Council resolutions 541 and 550, which condemn the 1983 unilateral declaration of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” by Turkey.

Specifically, paragraph 4 of the agreement, states: “The Participants reiterated their commitment to work together for peace, security, promotion of fundamental rights and sustainable development. They reaffirmed their continuing and strong commitment to uphold the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, including *UNSC Resolutions 541(1983) and 550(1984)*, on which the enhancement of EU-Central Asia relations is based, in particular the respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, within their internationally recognized borders, including within the framework of all international and regional fora, and agreed to refrain from taking any steps that run contrary to them.”

A few days later, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan appointed ambassadors to the Republic of Cyprus, in a further shift in regional alignment.

Resolution 541 was adopted by the UN Security Council on November 18, 1983. It called on all States to “respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus,” as well as not to recognize any other government of the island except the government of the Republic of Cyprus. Resolution 550, adopted on 11 May 1984, condemned the illegal secessionist activities in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, and called on other member states not to recognize the illegal northern entity.