As the Peace and Freedom Day on July 20 approaches, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel highlighted the importance of the concepts of “peace” and “freedom.”
In a written statement, Üstel remarked, “Press freedom is not the freedom to insult,” and added, “Trying to present lies and insults as freedom is damaging to the very concept of freedom.”
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel emphasized that peace should be regarded as the highest value within the country.
He acknowledged that there can be different opinions, but these differences should not lead to conflict or inhumane attacks.
Üstel noted that freedom is one of the most indispensable values of society, and that the broadest possible expression of freedom does not mean individuals can attack or insult others as they please.
He also stated that media, including social media, reflects the quality of freedom in a society or country. “Media or press freedom is not the freedom to lie and insult,” he asserted.
As the 50th anniversary of the Peace and Freedom Day is celebrated this year, Üstel pointed out that the emotional fervour of the day is still felt as if it were yesterday.
He recalled the period between 1963 and 1974, when the values and freedom of Turkish Cypriots were threatened, and the sufferings caused by fanatic Greek Cypriots are not forgotten.
Prime Minister Üstel noted, “With the Peace Operation of July 20, the military superiority that the Greek Cypriot side used as their greatest threat was ended, and the Turkish Cypriots who came together in Northern Cyprus gained all the necessary values for the existence of a state.”
He reminded that it has been 41 years since the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and that significant progress has been made with the support of Motherland Türkiye.
Üstel stressed the importance of looking forward and advancing with confident steps in all respects. He stated, “The TRNC is a Turkish state in the most strategic region of the world and will exist forever. Any possible solution to the Cyprus issue can only be achieved by recognizing the TRNC as the Turkish state on the island. No one can ignore the reality that exists in Cyprus.”