The martyrs of Malya were commemorated with a ceremony held in Aydınköy on Sunday.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar drew attention to the ongoing struggle in Cyprus.
He said that it was not possible to accept a mentality that would merge the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with the so-called Republic of Cyprus, dissolve the state, and sever ties with Türkiye, which would lead to returning to the bitter days of the past.
The ceremony honouring the Malya martyrs took place in front of the Malya Martyrs Monument in Aydınköy on Sunday morning.
The ceremony began with the laying of wreaths at the monument, followed by a minutes silence, a gun salute, and the raising of flags to the National Anthem.
Delivering a speech at the ceremony, a teacher from the Aydınköy Primary School Ahmet Baydar, recalled the struggle and resistance put up by the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Malya against Greek Cypriot attacks sixty years ago. He also expressed gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives, stating that the heroic struggle of the martyrs serves as an example to the new generations.
President Ersin Tatar also speaking at the ceremony said that the memory of the martyrs will also be remembered.
Drawing attention to the ongoing struggle in Cyprus, he said that it was not possible to accept a mentality that would merge the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with the so-called Republic of Cyprus, dissolve the TRNC, and sever ties with Türkiye, which would lead to returning to the bitter days of the past.
He stressed that they have a great responsibility towards the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the peace, tranquility, and security of the Turkish Cypriot people.
(Speaking at the ceremony) Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people had endured great pain and, through their noble struggle with the support of Türkiye, now had their own independent Turkish state in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to uphold the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with dignity, freedom, independence, and all its institutions and democracy.
“Our cause is one and our hearts beat as one, and that is for the Turkish Cypriot people to continue to live independently and freely. For this continuation, the guarantee of the motherland and the presence of the Turkish army are of vital importance to us, they are our red lines,” he said.
The President also expressed that he would convey necessary messages to the UN Personal envoy regarding this matter.