President Ersin Tatar, and Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly, Ziya Öztürkler, each received the Director General of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV), Bilal Topçu, and his delegation during their visit to the island.
Both leaders emphasized the critical importance of Türkiye’s defense capabilities and its enduring support for the safety and stability of the Turkish Cypriot people.
During the meeting at the Presidency, Tatar highlighted the historic and continuing role of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in ensuring peace, security, and stability in Cyprus.
He praised the Foundation’s role in supporting the TSK and expressed pride in seeing donors from the TRNC contributing to its mission.
Referring to the upcoming TEKNOFEST aviation and technology festival, which will be held in the TRNC from May 1–4, Tatar said Türkiye’s strides in defense and technology are a point of national pride, underpinned by teamwork and a strong national spirit.
He also recalled the suffering of Turkish Cypriots during the 1960s, likening it to the current situation in Gaza, and stressed that Türkiye’s growing strength on the global stage is vital for the security of the TRNC.
At the Parliament, Speaker Ziya Öztürkler underlined that Turkish troops continue to be the guardians of stability on the island.
He commended Türkiye’s recent progress in developing national defense systems, calling it a source of pride for the Turkic world.
Öztürkler also touched on the recent informal Geneva talks on Cyprus, noting the unified representation of all political voices from the TRNC and stressing the importance of national unity in shaping the future.
He commented on the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Blue Homeland, calling for collective responsibility to preserve social peace.
Öztürkler also warned against the use of divisive and hateful rhetoric, stating that such discourse undermines national values and unity.
TSKGV Director General Bilal Topçu, in both meetings, expressed gratitude for the support received and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to a fully independent Türkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.