Cyprus and Azerbaijan foreign ministers hold talks at UN General Assembly

New York, United States. Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos held what he called a “frank exchange” with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Kombos described the meeting as “good”.

Bilateral and regional discussions

Bayramov said the ministers followed up on efforts in recent years to develop political dialogue between their countries on issues of personal interest. They also exchanged views on Azerbaijan’s partnership with the European Union and on regional developments, he said.

Azerbaijan’s contacts with Turkish Cypriot leaders

Azerbaijan has also maintained contacts with Turkish Cypriot officials. Bayramov met Turkish Cypriot ‘foreign minister’ Tahsin Ertugruloglu on the sidelines of the Antalya diplomacy forum in April, while Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev met Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman at the same event.

In its official statement after the meeting, Azerbaijan’s government referred to Erhurman as the “president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. Aliyev has previously used the same title for Erhurman’s predecessor, Ersin Tatar.

Aliyev’s earlier remarks

On the sidelines of last year’s Antalya diplomacy forum, Aliyev promised to work towards international recognition of the Turkish Cypriot authorities as a state. He said Azerbaijan was considering how to help “our brothers protect their state”, adding that they deserved recognition because of their history and actions.

Aliyev also cited the 2004 Annan Plan referendum, which would have reunited Cyprus if approved. A majority of Turkish Cypriots voted in favour, while a majority of Greek Cypriots voted against. He questioned the subsequent admission of the Greek Cypriot side to the European Union, calling it an example of double standards and saying politicians avoided discussing it because doing so could cause them “headaches”.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan would remain with Turkish Cypriots and work to ensure that their state was established as independent and recognised by the international community.