The Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu who visited the Taşkent Martyrs’ Cemetery on Tuesday, stressed the importance of remembering the events of 50 years ago and how they led to the present day.

Ambassador Feyzioğlu remarked that the mentality responsible for massacres against Turkish Cyrpiots still persists in South Cyprus today.

He emphasized that peace was achieved through the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation, which prevented massacres with the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot freedom fighters and the Turkish Armed Forces.

“There has been peace in Cyprus for the past 50 years,” he said.

The Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu visited the Taşkent Martyrs’ Cemetery on Tuesday, inspecting the recent renovations carried out.

He was greeted by the Mayor of Dikmen, Yüksel Çelebi, village officials, and the families of martyrs.

Beginning with prayers at the graves, Ambassador Feyzioğlu then toured the museum at the cemetery.

Speaking to the press, Ambassador Feyzioğlu extended his condolences to the families of the martyrs and wished long lives to the veterans.

He stressed that martyr cemeteries and mass graves are places that every Turk must visit and know about.

He urged guests to prioritize visiting and learning about these places.

The Turkish ambassador recounted the massacres where fathers, sons, and grandsons were killed simultaneously, and families were annihilated. He lamented that the same inhumane mentality that perpetrated those atrocities still exists today.

Feyzioğlu said that there was a great paradox in the south which claimed to desire peace but still commemorated the terrorist organisation EOKA and its militants with annual parades.

“Let it not be forgotten. Peace in Cyprus was achieved during the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation which not only prevented massacres against Turkish Cypriots but also Greek Cypriots. There has been peace here for the past 50 years, all through the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot fighters and Turkish Armed Forces,” he added.

Ambassador Feyzioğlu also pointed out that there has been no mention of forgiveness or remorse from the perpetrators of those atrocities.

He highlighted the heroic struggle of the Turkish Cypriots against the campaign of ethnic cleansing the Greek Cypriots had unleashed, underscoring that they fought valiantly against adversity.

Reflecting on the achievement of peace in Cyprus in 1974, Ambassador Feyzioğlu paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives.

He concluded by stating that those who forget their history cannot have a future.