Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu paid his first official visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on 26 November 2015. In the context of his visit, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu visited the graves of Dr. Fazıl Küçük, leader of the freedom struggle of the Turkish Cypriots and Rauf Raif Denktaş, founding President of TRNC. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu laid a wreath at the mausoleums and observed a minute of silence.

Within the scope of his TRNC visit, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu met with Emine Çolak, Foreign Minister of TRNC. In the meeting views were exchanged on the negotiation process, bilateral relations and cooperation. Examining the “Information and e-Archive Infrastructure Project” within the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu underscored that two Foreign Ministries will continue to cooperate on issues regarding infrastructure and education.

Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu was later received by the TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı and TRNC Prime Minister Ömer Kalyoncu. Speaking at the joint press conference held after his meeting with President Mustafa Akıncı, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said that he would like to see Cyprus problem settled following negotiations held within a fixed time frame and on a basis which is permanent, just, and acceptable by both sides. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu also expressed his wish to see referendum to be held in the shortest possible time.

Speaking at the joint press conference, President of TRNC Mustafa Akıncı underlined the support Turkey extends to the negotiation process for the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

In the context of his TRNC visit, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu lastly paid a visit to Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Command and Boğaz Martyrdom in Kyrenia.