Prime Minister Ünal Üstel issued a message to mark the December 21-25 National Struggle and Martyrs Week.

In his message, Üstel stated that the Turkish Cypriot people has never accepted to live in captivity and know how to protect their homeland even if it costs them their lives and said, “It is out of the question for our people to forget the events of December 21.”

He said that the December 21 events are one of the most painful examples of the price paid for the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ existence and said that it is not possible to forget or ignore the incidents that were realized during that time.

“On the 60th anniversary of the Bloody Christmas events, without forgetting what happened, by learning lessons from what happened, we fulfil our responsibility towards our state by protecting it. Our state is the guarantee of our independence, sovereignty and freedom” said Üstel.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot people are continuing on their path by learning the necessary lessons from the past.

“Today, as if it was yesterday, we continue to resolutely protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot people with the strength we receive from Motherland Türkiye. With hope and faith, we continue our march towards the future in freedom” said Üstel.

He concluded his message by commemorating the martyrs and expressing his gratitude to the veterans.