Turkic States Recognize Republic of Cyprus, Sparking Outrage and Sense of Betrayal in Ankara

Ankara is reeling from what it perceives as a diplomatic betrayal after three member states of the Turkic States Organization—Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan—officially recognized the Republic of Cyprus and established embassies in Nicosia.

This move, which contradicts Turkey’s two-year push for these nations to recognize the self-proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), has triggered a wave of disappointment and geopolitical frustration in Turkey. Media outlets decry the development as a "fiasco" and a "strategic failure" of President Erdogan’s foreign policy.

The Turkish press has been vocal in its outrage, with headlines reflecting a deep sense of abandonment. Opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet ran the headline, “They sold the TRNC for 12 billion euros,” alleging that the Central Asian states’ recognition of Cyprus was part of a barter deal with the European Union, which promised 12 billion euros in investments. The paper accuses these nations of betraying Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community, claiming the EU’s economic incentives undermined Turkey’s efforts to legitimize the "TRNC" through the Organization of Turkic States.

Another opposition outlet, Birgun, was even more scathing, labeling the development a “double fiasco in two days.” It linked the diplomatic setback in Cyprus to a simultaneous military failure in Syria, where an Israeli attack on a Turkish base went unanswered. The paper described the recognition of Cyprus by “brotherly states” as one of Turkey’s most significant diplomatic defeats in recent years. Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, quoted in Birgun, noted, “Instead of recognizing Northern Cyprus, steps are being taken to recognize Southern Cyprus,” while Professor Berova Ozdemir warned of repercussions for upcoming elections in the occupied territories.

Pro-government media, including Yeni Akit and Haber7, framed the situation as a geopolitical maneuver by the EU to weaken Turkish and Russian influence in Central Asia. They pointed to the EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand, where a 12 billion euro investment package was announced for sectors like the Central Corridor (a China-Europe trade route via Asia), raw materials, digital connectivity, and green energy. These outlets labeled the deal an “exchange” aimed at neutralizing the Organization of Turkic States and, by extension, Turkey’s regional influence.

The overarching sentiment in Turkish media is one of shattered expectations. Ankara hoped ethnic and cultural ties would align the Turkic states with its geopolitical goals. Instead, as Birgun put it, “Central Asian countries are driven by their interests,” prioritizing EU investments over Turkey’s vision. The pragmatic choice of economic gain over ideological solidarity has left Turkey feeling isolated, with the "Turkish nation" dream promoted through the Organization of Turkic States crumbling under the weight of financial incentives.

Retired Vice Admiral Cem Gurdeniz, the architect of Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine, delivered a particularly stinging critique. Labeling the move as “geopolitical blindness,” Gurdeniz expressed dismay at Ankara’s inability to prevent the decisions of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. “The worst thing is that Turkey has failed to explain to these states this big mistake in terms of maritime geopolitics,” he stated, arguing that the "TRNC" serves as the “sea gate” of the Turkic world to the Mediterranean. In an emotional post on X, Gurdeniz lamented, “Two related states, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, which have rich energy resources, promise not to recognize the TRNC in exchange for financial aid. It is impossible to understand this attitude.” He also warned that Azerbaijan might follow suit, which would signal a “complete failure of Turkish diplomacy” in the region.

The recognition of Cyprus by these Turkic states adds to Ankara’s growing challenges. The new Syrian leadership in Damascus has initiated dialogue with Nicosia, indirectly acknowledging its statehood, further isolating Turkey’s stance on the island. Political analysts describe these developments as a significant blow to the AKP government’s foreign policy. Sol Haber notes that Ankara, which aims to lead the “Turkic world,” is now witnessing these countries pursue independent strategies contradicting Turkish interests.

For Central Asian states, Cyprus represents a “gateway” to Brussels, with tax optimization and EU investments accelerating diplomatic ties. Combined with Cyprus’ improving relations with Syria, these shifts reshape the Eastern Mediterranean’s geopolitical landscape, leaving Turkey increasingly marginalized in its ideological sphere.

Source: Maria Zacharaki, April 7, 2025