The Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Union organized a conference titled “The 50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation: Its Place in Turkish History from Alternative Perspectives.”
The conference was held under the leadership of the Turkish Education Union (Türk Eğitim-Sen) as part of the events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974.
In his opening speech, Memur-Sen President Akın Manga stated that they fully supported the decision not to start negotiations until the sovereign existence and international political equality status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is recognized.
Manga said, “The Turkish Cypriots, who crossed oceans and established the TRNC while preserving their sovereign existence, will never drown in streams by resisting under favorable conditions to avoid becoming a minority.”
The President of the International Eurasian Educational Unions Federation and Türk Eğitim-Sen, Talip Geylan, also stressed that the Turkish world was united and whole, and that the Turkish Cypriots were the “evil eye bead” of the Turkish world.
“The fate of Türkiye is the same as the fate of Cyprus” Geylan said and added that that the centuries-long struggle of the Turkish Cypriots was a source of pride for the Turkish world and a legacy from their heroic ancestors.
Also delivering an opening speech at the event, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel pointed out that significant messages were conveyed to the world together with the motherland, Türkiye, on the 50th anniversary of the Peace Operation on July 20, 1974, drawing attention to the struggles endured over the years.
“We have suffered many atrocities, experienced genocides, and lost our people. We never gave up” the Premier said.
Noting that the support of the motherland, Türkiye, had always been a source of morale and guidance, Üstel added, “We gained our freedom and established our state. We are fighting with all our strength to make our state recognized worldwide.”
The Prime Minister also reminded that, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call for the recognition of the TRNC’s independence at the UN General Assembly they became an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States.
Stating that the Greek Cypriots had made several attempts to undermine the TRNC economy, Üstel stressed that they were working to bring the TRNC to its rightful place in the world.
President Ersin Tatar, for his part, reminded the great struggle for existence that the Turkish Cypriots have waged on this land and stressed the importance of the support of the motherland, Türkiye, for the Turkish Cypriot people to maintain their presence on the island with their own identity, culture, and national values.
Referring to the history of Cyprus by saying, “We came here centuries ago,” Tatar stated, “Wherever we are, all our hearts beat for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This state is our most important asset, connecting us to each other and expressing our national values, independence, and freedom.”
Noting that in recent years, the value of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and its significance in the Blue Homeland had increased even more, the President stressed that Türkiye was the strongest, largest, and most influential country in the region.
“The Cyprus issue cannot be solved without Türkiye. The policy of some that ‘Cyprus is for Cypriots and Cypriots will solve this issue’ hides many traps and insincerities. There are two nations in Cyprus: Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriots are an inseparable and indivisible part of the great Turkish nation. We are not alone. This cause is our common cause. We are pursuing this issue together with Türkiye” Tatar added.
Stating that, as President, along with the Prime Minister and the government, they discussed all the details with Türkiye under all circumstances, especially on the Cyprus issue, he reminded that the new national policy was a two-state policy.
Noting that if there is a solution within a federal framework, Cyprus would become an island of the European Union, and Turkish soldiers would withdraw from the island, Tatar said, “There is no need to be a genius to predict what would happen to the Turkish Cypriots if the Turkish Armed Forces, which have been the guarantor of peace, security, and stability on the island for 50 years, were to withdraw. We see what is happening in Gaza.”
Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots had paid a high price, the President stressed “If there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, it can only be lasting, fair, and sustainable if the sovereign, independent Turkish state in the North is recognized and is part of the agreement as a state. If they think that an agreement would be lasting and sustainable with one side as a Republic and us as a community, having only citizenship rights within the framework of the European Union rules, they are very mistaken. We are not in a position to lose our national values, national identity, and culture and embark on such an organization and adventure.”