President Ersin Tatar stated that they would never compromise on their sovereign rights, stressing that they reached the present day by making sacrifices and losing martyrs.
“The Cyprus Peace Operation is the most significant operation in Cyprus’ history. If this operation had not taken place, there would not be a single Turk left in Cyprus today” Tatar said.
President Ersin Tatar received the Mayor of Ayvalık, Mesut Ergin, members of the municipal council, the head of the Ayvalık branch of the Turkish War Veterans Association, Mehmet Kıranoğlu, and veterans who participated in the Cyprus Peace Operation.
During the meeting, President Tatar expressed his pleasure in hosting the delegation in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Noting that the Cyprus Peace Operation marked the beginning of a new era, Tatar stressed the importance of relations with motherland Türkiye, stating that they continued to move forward with stronger and more confident steps.
Recalling the historical significance of the Cyprus Peace Operation, Tatar honoured the memory of the then-Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, praying for their souls and wishing them peace in heaven.
Tatar also acknowledged the contributions of Türkiye’s late presidents and leaders, including Süleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, Foreign Minister Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, and Alparslan Türkeş.
He further highlighted the efforts of Turkish Cypriot leaders such as the late Dr. Fazıl Küçük and Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, along with their comrades in the national cause.
The President also stressed that “the Cyprus issue is, in essence, a great national movement”, paying tribute to the hundreds of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Cyprus.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriots had reached the present day through their struggle for independence, Tatar said, “But beyond that, this is a great national victory.”
He added that relations between motherland Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had been at the highest level in recent years.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriot people did not attain peace, stability, and security easily, Tatar expressed gratitude to the Turkish Armed Forces, saying, “We owe our peace, security, and stability to the Turkish Armed Forces.”
Reaffirming his commitment to a two-state policy, Tatar stressed, “If there is to be an agreement, our state must absolutely be a part of it.”
He also warned against efforts to assimilate the Turkish Cypriots within a unified Cyprus, stating, “Their dream is to gradually assimilate us and sever our ties with motherland Türkiye. We will never allow our ties with Türkiye to be broken. We place great importance on Türkiye’s guarantorship and the presence of Turkish troops as a deterrent force.”
Stressing that Türkiye fully supported this policy, the President said, “As we pursue this policy, motherland Türkiye stands firmly behind us. We will attend the upcoming Geneva talks to present the national policy we represent, putting the two-state solution on the table.”
Reiterating that they would never compromise on their sovereign rights, Tatar stressed that they had reached today by making sacrifices and losing martyrs.
“The right to govern ourselves is our most natural right” he said and paid tribute to all martyrs and expressed his respect for the veterans.
Also speaking during the visit, the Mayor of Ayvalık Mesut Ergin stated “Our Veterans Association has come to Cyprus for the first time since the Cyprus Peace Operation. We visited you with 20 veterans who participated in the operation, along with their spouses.”
Explaining that they visited martyrs’ cemeteries and other significant sites, experiencing emotional moments, Ergin expressed their happiness to be in the TRNC.