Kharrazi Promises to Support TRNC in OIC

Iranian Foreign Minister Kemal Kharrazi met with the Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal the other night in Ankara as he stopped by on his way to Morocco. Kharrazi delivered an important message. The Iranian Minister said, "We are way below what we could be doing as the neighboring countries of Iraq. We need to be more active."

Ziyal in return requested the support of Iran for elevating the status of TRNC in the OIC. Kharrazi responded, "A new situation has emerged on the Island and we will give any support that we can." Experts point out that at this early phase, the start of direct trading relations and the right to vote in the OIC is being discussed rather than full recognition. TRNC currently has ‘observer’ status and is known as the ‘Cyprus Muslim Turkish community’ at the OIC meetings.

Elsewhere, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul requested ambassadors attending a reception for OIC Secretary-General candidate Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the Ministry to support the status of TRNC.