The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Becomes a Full Member of the OTS Civil Protection Mechanism

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been granted the right to become a full member of the international Civil Protection Mechanism, which was established under the auspices of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). As an observer country, the TRNC has actively participated in all meetings held since the organization’s inception.

The decision to establish a unit for disaster response and aid, known as the “Civil Defense Mechanism of the Turkic States,” within the Organization of Turkic States was made during the 8th Summit Declaration in Istanbul on November 12, 2021.

At the request of the OTS Secretariat, online negotiations took place on May 23, May 30, and June 2, 2023, with representatives from member states and observer countries discussing the draft agreement for the establishment of the mechanism. The TRNC also participated in these discussions.

After limited progress was made during the online meetings, the OTS Secretariat organized an in-person meeting, which was held on July 4-5, 2023, in Istanbul. The TRNC was again invited to attend as an observer.

From September 6-8, 2023, a meeting of ministers and heads of emergency departments from member states and the TRNC took place in Baku.

Through online meetings on June 7 and July 17, 2024, a consensus was reached, and the agreement was finalized.

The final agreement establishing the “Civil Protection Mechanism of the OTS, based in Turkey” was signed at the 11th Summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 6, 2024.

The agreement was signed by the member states of the OTS: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The mechanism being created will intervene only in the case of natural disasters occurring in the territories of member and observer states.

As part of the agreement, it was decided that observer countries would join the mechanism as full members and play an active role in all activities carried out under the project.

Thus, the TRNC will officially become a full member of the Civil Protection Mechanism of the Organization of Turkic States, a mechanism signed by OTS member states and granted international organization status.