President Ersin Tatar commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation with a heartfelt speech that honoured the sacrifices and resilience of the Turkish Cypriot people. The 20th of July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations kicked off at noon on Friday with President Ersin Tatar’s annual address to the nation.
Addressing the Turkish Cypriot people, Tatar reflected on the turbulent history that led to the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
President Tatar began by acknowledging the dark and painful days of the past, emphasizing that the progress made today is due to the century-long resistance of the Turkish Cypriot people, the sacrifices of the martyrs, the support from Türkiye, the successful Peace Operation, and the courage of the Turkish Cypriots and soldiers.
“It is impossible to forget or let others forget these sacrifices,” he said. “Passing on these feelings and thoughts from generation to generation is our greatest duty. If we forget, history will not forgive us.”
Tatar reminded of the persistent threat posed by the Greek Cypriots and the Greek ambitions to annex Cyprus, likening their current mindset to the historical Megali Idea.
He recounted how the struggle for Enosis (union with Greece) intensified after Cyprus was leased to Britain in 1878 and later annexed in 1914.
The 1931 rebellion and the 1950 plebiscite were both aimed at achieving this goal. The creation of the EOKA terrorist organization further aimed to eliminate the Turkish Cypriot presence through violence and terror.
Despite these efforts, Tatar highlighted the resilience and sacrifices of the Turkish Cypriots, including the heroic resistance led by the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT), which culminated in the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, with Turkish Cypriots as equal co-founders.
However, he noted that the Greek Cypriot leadership never accepted Turkish Cypriots as equals and continuously sought their eradication.
The President emphasized the crucial role played by Türkiye, especially during the 1963 and 1974 crises. The Akritas Plan and subsequent attacks aimed at annihilating Turkish Cypriots were countered by Türkiye’s decisive intervention on July 20, 1974.
“The sun of freedom rose from the shores of Girne,” Tatar stated, referring to the Turkish military landing.
He expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s unwavering support and the sacrifices of soldiers like Cengiz Topel, who prevented a massacre in Erenköy.
President Tatar vividly recounted the aftermath of the Peace Operation, during which Turkish soldiers liberated several regions, bringing an end to the atrocities committed by Greek Cypriot forces in villages like Taşkent, Atlılar, Muratağa, and Sandallar.
He underscored that without the intervention, the Turkish Cypriot population would have faced complete genocide, transforming Cyprus into a Hellenic island.
Addressing the false claims made by Greek Cypriots and their allies, who describe the Peace Operation as an occupation, Tatar urged the international community to recognize the true aggressors of the 1963 and 1974 coups.
“If the Peace Operation had not taken place, even those who opposed the coup would have been massacred, and Greece would have remained under a fascist junta,” he asserted.
Tatar criticized the ongoing efforts by Greek Cypriots and their allies to portray the Peace Operation as an occupation and rewrite the history of Cyprus.
He urged the international community to recognize the realities on the ground and not to be swayed by false narratives. The President condemned the actions of the United Nations and the European Union, which he claimed have hindered a fair and lasting solution by supporting Greek Cypriot positions.
He reiterated that any solution must be based on the existence of two sovereign states, as supported by Türkiye and presented to the United Nations in April 2021. “We will not step back from our proposal,” Tatar declared. “We are determined, despite all pressures.”
Tatar highlighted the strengthening ties between the TRNC and Türkiye, mentioning the support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the backing from the Turkish National Security Council and other Turkish officials.
He also noted the significance of the TRNC’s observer membership in the Organization of Turkic States and the recent participation in the summit in Shusha, Azerbaijan.
President Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot state has a 60-year history, asserting that the TRNC is as legitimate as the Greek Cypriot state.
He celebrated the TRNC’s achievements, emphasizing its resilience against international pressures and embargoes. “Our duty is to strengthen the TRNC further by overcoming all challenges in unity and solidarity,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the TRNC’s international recognition and sovereignty. He called on the Turkish Cypriots to remain vigilant against efforts to sever their ties with Türkiye and to continue working towards a stronger, united TRNC.
He also highlighted the “New National Policy,” which advocates for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, a stance that Türkiye firmly supports. President Tatar praised Turkish President Erdoğan for his calls at the United Nations General Assembly for the recognition of the TRNC and an end to unjust embargoes.
He also thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for inviting the TRNC to the summit in Shusha, symbolizing the support of the Turkic world.
In closing, President Tatar celebrated the enduring spirit of the Turkish Cypriots and the unwavering support from Türkiye. He reiterated that the peace and security enjoyed today are priceless and result from the Turkish military’s presence on the island.
“The sun of freedom that rose on July 20, 1974, will shine forever,” he concluded, expressing his deepest respect and gratitude to all those who contributed to their struggle and freedom.
