The first European Union–Central Asia Summit was held in Samarkand, where Turkic states — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan — supported resolutions against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Turkish international journalist and war correspondent Ardan Zentürk reacted sharply to the decision, calling it a “geopolitical blow” to Türkiye and an “act of betrayal,” Minval.az informs.
“I don’t understand what Ankara is doing. I’m completely confused… How can we allow such a geopolitical catastrophe, Mr. Hakan Fidan?” Zentürk stated during his YouTube stream.
According to him, by signing the joint declaration, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan effectively “aligned themselves with the West and Russia by recognizing the proclamation of the TRNC as illegal.”
“I haven’t seen anything like this in my 50-year career. We are witnessing a real political betrayal. These four Turkic countries confirmed with their signatures that they do not recognize Turkish Cyprus. They joined the ranks of Europe, the U.S., and Russia, who call Türkiye an occupier in Cyprus,” he emphasized.
The journalist also questioned the purpose of the Organization of Turkic States: “If these countries sign resolutions that reject the TRNC, then the Organization of Turkic States loses all meaning. Shut it down. This is a slap not only to Turkish Cyprus but to Türkiye itself.”
He insisted this is more than a diplomatic misstep: “We are not joking. We will not allow the island, where Turkish soldiers shed their blood, to be recognized as the territory of another state. This is not merely a diplomatic mistake — this is betrayal.”
The summit took place on April 4, 2025, in Samarkand, with the participation of leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and EU leadership. A joint declaration was adopted, reaffirming the countries’ commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and expressing support for UN Security Council Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984), both of which condemn the proclamation of the TRNC.
