Ceremony held to mark 49th anniversary of Serdarlı’s liberation
Date Added: 15 August 2023

President Ersin Tatar said on Monday that the sovereignty and equal international status of the TRNC must be accepted without a doubt if there is to be a settlement reached in Cyprus, adding that the Turkish Cypriot People would not and cannot consent to any agreement that would take them back to the period before 1974.

His words came during a ceremony held to mark the liberation of Serdarlı during the second phase of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation 49 years ago.

During the ceremony held in front of the Atatürk Monument in Serdarlı, wreaths were laid, a moment of silence was observed, and flags were raised to the National Anthem.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Mayor Halil Kasım of Geçitkale-Serdarlı emphasized the importance of passing on the struggle for the country to the younger generations.

He stated that the homeland’s territory was not won easily and emphasized that protecting and nurturing these lands, for which the martyrs gave their blood and lives, was everyone’s primary duty.

Also delivering a speech President Ersin Tatar said that much has happened in Cyprus over the past 49 years.

He pointed out that Türkiye launched the second phase of the peace operation after the Greek Cypriot duo continued their attacks against the Turkish Cypriot People and possibly committed the gravest crimes in human history.

Tatar also pointed out that with the second peace operation, the foundation of the TRNC was laid and its borders were drawn.

“From that day to today, the TRNC has developed step by step and this region has become one of the most valuable areas of our country,” he said.

Emphasizing that if there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, it must absolutely include the recognition of the sovereignty and equal international status of this state, President Tatar underlined that the Turkish Cypriot People would not agree to any agreement that would take them back to the period before 1974.

“Our sovereign equality, the guarantee of our homeland, and the presence of Turkish soldiers here are of vital importance to us,” he concluded.