Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu stated that the date 1st of August is historical proof that Cyprus has been a Turkish homeland for 452 years and that the Turkish Cypriot people have continued their struggle for existence and freedom with determination and faith.
He said that he is proud to celebrate the 452nd anniversary of the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottomans, 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT) and the 47th anniversary of the establishment of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Command (GKK).
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu issued a message to mark the 1st of August Communal Resistance Day.
In his message Ertuğruloğlu wrote that the date 1st of August, which symbolizes the Turkish presence in Cyprus, is historical proof that Cyprus has been a Turkish homeland for 452 years.
“With the conquest of the island of Cyprus by the Ottoman Empire on August 1, 1571, the seal of Turkishness was affixed to the island. Rights, justice and peace came to the island of Cyprus that was under the Venetian oppression, and the Greek Cypriot church was given autonomy” said Ertuğruloğlu.
He said the TMT was established on August 1, 1958 in order to stop the barbarities committed against the Turkish Cypriot people by the Greek Cypriot terrorist organization EOKA, which was established on April 1, 1955 to realize Enosis, unite the island with Greece.
Stating that the TMT is a resistance organisation designed to protect the existence and rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, Ertuğruloğlu said that the TMT took the first steps towards freedom and independence and they also formed the basis of the state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
“Our Security Forces Command, which is the continuation of TMT, stands as an insurmountable power against those who want to destroy the Turkish Cypriot people. Our Security Forces, which are stronger than ever, together with the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command (KTBK), ensure that we live in security, peace and tranquility on the island” he said.
“On the anniversary of these three historic days, we once again remind those who look on the lands of the TRNC from the South and continue with the the EOKA and ENOSİS mindset, that their dreams were buried forever on July 20, 1974. Our advice to them is to stop allowing the Greek Cypriot people to live in a dream state and to accept the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the fact that there are two separate peoples and two separate states in Cyprus, and to learn from history as soon as possible” he said.
Ertuğruloğlu concluded his message by saying “We are proud to celebrate the anniversary of these three historic days. On this occasion, I commemorate our martyrs and veterans who sacrificed their lives in various stages of our struggle for existence in Cyprus with gratitude, and I wish more prosperous days with unity and solidarity by strengthening our ties with Motherland Türkiye”.
Meanwhile similar messages have been given by state and government officials, societies and organisations.