Newsletters
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that Ankara will continue to protect the interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and work toward international recognition of Turkish Cypriots' sovereign equality, as ceremonies marking the 52nd anniversary of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation took place across the TRNC.
In a post on its X account, the ministry said: "We proudly mark the 52nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, which crowned the Turkish Cypriot people's struggle for freedom. Exactly 52 years ago, acting within the rights and obligations arising from the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, Türkiye guaranteed the security of life and continued presence of Turkish Cypriots on the island."
The ministry said Turkish Cypriots today live "with their heads held high, in peace and security," under the flag of the TRNC.
"As the motherland and guarantor, Türkiye will continue, as it did yesterday, to protect the interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus today and in the future, and to work with all its strength for the recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status that is the inherent right of Turkish Cypriots," the statement said, adding that Türkiye "remembers with mercy the Turkish soldiers and mujahideen who attained martyrdom without hesitation in our national cause" and expressed gratitude to veterans.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Turkish Cypriots on the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.
In a post on his X account marking the 52nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, Erdogan commemorated the soldiers who were martyred and expressed gratitude to veterans.
“I sincerely congratulate the Turkish Cypriot people on the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day and extend my greetings to my Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters,” Erdogan said.
“As the motherland and guarantor country, we will never leave the Turkish Cypriot people alone in their just struggle.”
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Türkiye was celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, which secured the freedom, safety, and future of Turkish Cypriots.
Fidan noted that Türkiye executed the operation 52 years ago in accordance with its rights and obligations under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
He said Türkiye, standing alongside the Turkish Cypriot mujahideen, protected Turkish Cypriots who faced the threat of destruction and secured their permanent presence on the island.
“The glorious Turkish army also laid the foundations of the peace, tranquility and stability that have continued in Cyprus for more than half a century,” Fidan said.
He added that Turkish Cypriots today live freely, with dignity and in security under the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
“As the motherland and guarantor, Türkiye will continue, as it has in the past, to resolutely defend the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people,” Fidan said.
He commemorated the Turkish soldiers and mujahideen who sacrificed their lives during the Cyprus Peace Operation and expressed gratitude to veterans.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said in a social media message: "Türkiye is the guarantor of the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and of peace and tranquility on the island of Cyprus. This responsibility of ours will continue forever."
Kurtulmus called the July 20, 1974, operation "a turning point that etched into history the Turkish Cypriot people's struggle for freedom and dignified existence," saying it "was instrumental in establishing peace and stability on the island and secured the future of the Turkish Cypriot people."
Kurtulmus said: "Today we continue to steadfastly support the Turkish Cypriot people's just cause, based on sovereign equality and equal international status."
He honored "our dear martyrs" and founding TRNC President Rauf Denktas, expressing gratitude to veterans and congratulating Turkish Cypriots on the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.
Ceremonies marking the anniversary, observed in the TRNC as the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, began in the capital Nicosia with a 21-gun salute.
TRNC President Tufan Erhurman delivered a holiday address on public broadcaster BRT. Ceremonies were also held at the memorial graves of Dr. Fazil Kucuk, described as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot freedom struggle, and founding President Rauf Denktash, attended by Erhurman, Prime Minister Unal Ustel, Türkiye's Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Bascheri, main opposition Republican Turkish Party leader Sila Usar Incirli, several ministers, military officials and civil society representatives.
At a ceremony at the Bogaz Martyrs' Cemetery in Girne, Erhurman wrote in the memorial's guest book: "On the 52nd anniversary of the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, I bow with respect before the great struggle you waged to protect the existence, freedom and dignity of the Turkish Cypriot people, and remember you with mercy, gratitude and endless thanks. You sacrificed your lives so that the Turkish Cypriot people could live with their heads held high and in security. The Turkish Cypriot people will never forget your sacrifices and those of our heroic veterans. Our greatest duty is to protect what you entrusted to us with the same determination, and to leave our children a future governed by peace, justice and security."
At a reception held at the TRNC's Republican Assembly to mark the anniversary, Assembly Speaker Ziya Ozturkler said the "unjust international order" aimed at penalizing Turkish Cypriots should come to an end.
"Peace cannot be built by isolating a people from the world," Ozturkler said, adding that Turkish Cypriot sovereignty, Türkiye's "effective and de facto guarantorship," and the TRNC's current status "cannot be subject to negotiation."
Ozturkler said Turkish Cypriots had endured suffering, oppression and displacement in the past but had always looked to the future with hope, saying they had found Türkiye by their side during the most difficult periods.
"Peace cannot be built by isolating a people from the world. The unjust international order aimed at penalizing the Turkish Cypriot people must now come to an end. Let no one think the Turkish Cypriot people will remain this way forever, because our just cause is gaining more support with each passing day," Ozturkler said.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
