A delegation led by the Deputy Chairman of the Felicity Party (YRP), Mehmet Aşıla, who are visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as part of celebrations marking the 20th of July Peace and Freedom Day, was received by President Ersin Tatar and Speaker of the Assembly Zorlu Töre on Tuesday.
The importance of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation was highlighted during the meetings.
Speaking during the meetings, the Deputy Chairman of the Felicity Party, Mehmet Aşıla, stressed the significant importance of the Turkish Cypriots and the current position of the TRNC with the support of Türkiye.
He added that the late Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan’s close interest in Cyprus made the Turkish Cypriots even more important to them.
Noting that Türkiye placed great importance on Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot people, Aşıla stressed that they will continue to support the determination shown by the TRNC on the Cyprus issue, with the support of the Turkish government.
The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre also delivered a speech, reminiscing about the difficult times the Turkish Cypriots endured until July 20 1974 and stressed that despite all challenges, their national identity was preserved.
The Parliamentary Speaker also referred to the significant contributions of the late Turkish Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit and the then Deputy Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan during the 1974 Peace Operation.
“We are living peacefully under the shade of the crescent and star flags. Our essence is the Turkish nation and to fulfil the requirements of this national cause” Töre said and stressed that it was not possible to give up on the TRNC and the Turkish soldiers.
President Ersin Tatar for his part acknowledged the importance of the stance and national evaluations of Necmettin Erbakan, who served as Deputy Prime Minister during the Peace Operation and paid tribute to the founder of the Welfare Party, Necmettin Erbakan, with deep respect.
Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot people, as an integral part of the Turkish nation, always looked towards Türkiye, Tatar noted that they continued their struggle to protect the rights and interests of the Blue Homeland.
Referring to the Peace Operation as a turning point for Cyprus, President Tatar stressed that despite the unfair isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people, they continued their fight to strengthen the TRNC.