Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu emphasized his belief and commitment to democracy and freedom in messages he issued to mark the anniversary of the military coup on the island on July 15, 1974 and the coup attempts in Türkiye in 2016.
In his message the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu pointed out that two important events symbolizing the victory of democracy and national will took place on July 15th.
He commemorated the struggle against the Greek coup in Cyprus in 1974 with respect and emphasized that the Turkish nation’s commitment to democracy and freedom is proudly remembered on the anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day.
Describing the resistance of the Turkish Cypriot people against the coup attempt launched by the treacherous Greek and Greek Cypriot duo in Cyprus in 1974 as a symbol of the belief in independence and freedom, Ataoğlu said, “This coup was an attempt to destroy the Turkish presence on the island, but it was prevented by the determined intervention of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot people regained their freedom and peace.”
Similarly, on the night of July 15, 2016, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the Turkish people stood united and resisted the treacherous coup attempt against the democracy of the Republic of Türkiye and added that “this historic day is the victory of national will and democracy”.
“As the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, I would like to express that we wholeheartedly support our strong ties and common values with the Republic of Türkiye. Our belief in democracy and national will makes us stronger together. On this occasion, I would like to sincerely congratulate the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day of the entire Turkish people and the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, and I would like to emphasize once again that we will never forget their heroism” said Ataoğlu.