Christofias appeals to OIC against recognizing KKTC

The KKTC has an observer status within the OIC and is not recognized as a sovereign state by any member except Turkey. The Greek Cypriot government, internationally recognized as the government of the entire island of Cyprus, appears to be alarmed by recent Turkish statements that a Plan B might be put into action if current UN-led efforts aimed at reuniting the island remain futile. What this Plan B contains has never been formally outlined by Turkey but Turkish officials have indicated that a campaign for international recognition of the KKTC or elevating its status within international organizations are options on the table.

Last month, the OIC, headed by a Turkish secretary-general, said it welcomed a request by the KKTC to send a permanent representative to the OIC. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, speaking after a meeting with KKTC President Derviş Eroğlu at OIC headquarters in Jeddah, then said the “unjust isolation” of the Turkish Cypriots must be lifted.

In a letter to OIC members, Christofias has warned against supporting the KKTC, Greek Cypriot daily Politis reported on Saturday. The letter says any move to elevate the status of the KKTC within the OIC or promote its recognition as a sovereign state would lack international legitimacy.

According to the report, the Greek Cypriot government is worried that there are countries within the OIC ready to accept a possible Turkish call for recognition of the KKTC as a sovereign state, such as Azerbaijan and Pakistan. It said the recipients of the letters included influential OIC members such as Qatar. There was no information on whether OIC member Turkey was also a recipient.