Turkish Cypriots living on the divided island of Cyprus have been granted the right to vote in EU elections, thanks to the dedicated work of Niyazi Kizilyürek. As the first Turkish Cypriot member of the European Parliament, he strives to give a voice to his community and shape the Cyprus question. Although most Turkish-speaking residents live in the north of the island where government control is limited, Kizilyürek’s efforts highlight their desire to leverage their EU citizenship through travel and involvement in programs like Erasmus.
Despite ongoing tensions and talks about reunification in Cyprus, Kizilyürek emphasizes the importance of direct relations between the Turkish Cypriot community and the EU. He advocates for recognition of Turkish as an official EU language, which could further promote the rights of Turkish Cypriots within the EU framework. With his commitment to ensuring that all Turkish Cypriots can fully exercise their rights as EU citizens, Kizilyürek’s work is crucial for promoting greater inclusivity and equality within Europe.
