Gagauz head meets Northern Cyprus Prime Minister

This weekend, Gagauz Baskan (Governor) Mihail Formuzal met with Dervis Eroglu, the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The two officials spoke about possibilities of improving economic ties. Mr. Formuzal noted that students in the Gagauz region in Moldova are interested in attending universities in Northern Cyprus.

The Gagauz region in Moldova covers a portion of land in the South. It is inhabited mostly by a Christianized Turkic population. Most people there speak Russian, however.

The region has often had tense ties with Chisinau and has engaged in some foreign policy activities separately from the central Government, especially with Russia, Belarus, and Turkey. Leaders in the Gagauz region have also been pro-active in establishing cultural ties with Turkic countries.

The TRNC proclaimed independence in 1983 and is only recognized as a sovereign state by Turkey.