The representative of the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, who is in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to participate in the 20th of July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations, was received by President Ersin Tatar and Speaker of the Republic Assembly Zorlu Töre on Tuesday.
Receiving General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, President Ersin Tatar said that the 1974 Peace Operation was a turning point for the Turkish Cypriot people.
Tatar recalled that the second Hellenic Republic was declared in Cyprus following the Greek junta’s coup on July 15, 1974, with the aim of uniting the island with Greece, bringing an end to the Turkish Cypriot people, and surrounding Türkiye on land and sea by creating a Greater Greece.
President Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots have been living in peace and tranquillity in the state that was established as a result of the operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces 49 years ago.
Referring to South Cyprus’s unilateral membership to the EU, Tatar said that a solution based on a federation would lead to the removal of Türkiye’s guarantees and the withdrawal of its troops.
He stated that the Turkish Cypriot people will not fall into such a trap and that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fully supported the Turkish Cypriot side’s new two-state policy.
Tatar expressed the view that one could not ignore the realities on the island to ensure the continuation of peace, tranquillity, and security, as well as political balances and stability.
General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu for his part said that he was proud to be in the TRNC and that he has always had a special bond with Cyprus.
Also receiving General Kadıoğlu on Tuesday, the Speaker of the Republic Assembly Zorlu Töre said that the continued presence of the Turkish Armed Forces in Cyprus was crucial for the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people as well as Türkiye’s national security.
Töre said that there were internal and external forces which wanted to scrap the TRNC and end Türkiye’s presence on the island.
He stated that they are exerting pressure and engaging in lobbying activities to achieve these goals, which they could not accomplish through war, in political arenas, international meetings, and the UN General Assembly sessions.
General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu for his part said that Türkiye and the Turkish Armed Forces were always on the side of the TRNC.
He expressed the hope that the TRNC will rise as a regional power in collaboration with other Turkic states like Azerbaijan.