The importance of Cyprus for Turkiye in terms of its geopolitical position

Cyprus and the Mediterranean, which lived under the auspices of the Ottoman Empire for more than 300 years, are now the focus of regional and non-regional states due to both its geopolitical location and its natural reserves. Since Turkey has the longest coastline in the Mediterranean and has natural historical ties with Cyprus, it has to protect its interests in the region and support the Turkish Cypriots. The natural reserves in the Mediterranean are sufficient to meet the energy needs of a country. In order to end foreign dependency in energy, energy reserves in the region should be protected and their rights should be equally benefited. Türkiye and TRNC are the natural heirs of these energy reserves. Despite this, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, disregarding the Turkish presence on the island, takes decisions that are contrary to the interests of the TRNC and Turkey and implements these decisions. This situation puts Turkey and the TRNC at risk economically, politically and militarily. In case of a possible war, the Anatolian peninsula will receive the greatest support and the greatest attack from the Mediterranean, that is, from the island of Cyprus. The Mediterranean is literally Anatolia's gateway to the world. For this reason, Cyprus has a unique importance for Türkiye. Our leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words after the victory of the Great Offensive and the Dumlupınar Commander-in-Chief Square Battle: "Armies, your provincial target is the Mediterranean. Forward!" His order shows us the importance of the Mediterranean and Gazi Pasha's vision that will have an impact even years after him. With this study, answers were sought to the questions of why Cyprus, which has an important place in geopolitical theories, is important for Turkey in terms of its historical background and geopolitical location, why even non-regional states claim rights on the island and why they try to dominate the island.