Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre said that the 1st of August is one of the most important dates symbolizing the great resistance of the Turkish Cypriot people for the continuation of their existence on the island and the security and freedom they have achieved as a result of this resistance.
Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre issued a message 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).
In his message Töre wrote that the 1st of August is one of the most important dates in Cyprus as it the anniversary of the date the Ottoman Empire brought justice, order and stability to Cyprus
It also symbolizes the great resistance put forward by the Turkish Cypriot people for the continuation of their existence on the island and the security and freedom they gained as a result of this resistance.
While expressing his gratitude to ancestors and martyrs for the sacrifices they made, Töre said that they owe it to their ancestors martyrs and future generations to protect the Turkish presence that has continued since 1571 and to keep the state free, independent and sovereign.
Noting that equality, justice, peace and freedom of belief was provided to the whole island by the Turkish administration for 307 years but that this was destroyed when the British Colonial Administration took over the island in 1878, Töre said this led to the demise of the island as Greece attempted to annex the island to Greece and make it a Hellenic island by acting together with the Greek Cypriot administration and the Greek Orthodox Church.
“The Turkish Cypriots were subjected to attacks and massacres and were trying to be annihilated” said Töre and added that the Turkish Cypriot people have always put up a resistance and continued their determined struggle.
“I salute all our commanders and soldiers who fought for our independence and freedom. I commemorate all martyrs who gave their lives for this homeland in the conquest of Cyprus and in the following years of struggle, I offer my deepest respect to our veterans” said Töre.