The Turkish-occupied northern part has become an observer in the Organization of Turkic States, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

"The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been accepted as an observer in the Organization of Turkic States," Çavuşoğlu said, RIA Novosti reported.

Cyprus has been de facto divided between the Greek and Turkish communities since 1974 after Turkey's armed invasion, triggered by a coup d'état in Cyprus and an attempt to annex the island to Greece. Thirty-seven percent of the island was occupied and the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" was proclaimed in 1983. It was recognized only by Turkey.