On the 41st anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), state and government officials marked the occasion with commemorative messages emphasizing resilience, independence, and the path forward.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, ministers, and national figures used this occasion to reflect on achievements, acknowledge sacrifices, and outline their vision for the future.
The Speaker of Parliamentary Ziya Öztürkler in his message expressed gratitude for the independence secured through the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans.
Öztürkler emphasized that Turkish Cypriots were only able to rise from “difficult and dark years” by uniting in their quest for freedom, culminating in the 1983 founding of the TRNC.
He called upon the nation to honour this legacy by preserving the Republic and ensuring that “the crescent and star flag continues to wave freely and proudly.”
He further acknowledged Türkiye’s role as the TRNC’s “greatest assurance” through its support and guarantorship, vowing to uphold the Republic as the heritage of martyrs.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel’s message commemorated the Republic as a beacon of sovereignty, freedom, and national identity.
He paid tribute to Dr. Fazıl Küçük, the freedom struggle leader who inspired the people, and Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, who introduced the Republic as a realization of Atatürk’s principle of “virtue.” Üstel honoured the sacrifices of Turkish Cypriot martyrs and veterans, who, in his words, “enabled us to live with our heads held high, under our own flag, securely and freely.”
Reflecting on the ongoing struggle for international recognition, Üstel highlighted the unjust treatment Turkish Cypriots faced since 1963, when their rights within the Cyprus Republic were suppressed.
Despite longstanding embargoes, he emphasized that the TRNC, with Türkiye’s strong support, has continued to grow, strengthen, and develop.
Üstel criticized the Greek Cypriot administration for refusing genuine reconciliation, persisting in “maximalist demands” that ignore the reality of a divided island.
He also underscored the Greek Cypriots’ reluctance to share the island’s wealth or recognize Turkish Cypriots’ political equality, and he decried their longstanding disruption of fair, lasting solutions.
The Prime Minister reiterated the TRNC’s commitment to a two-state solution, a policy developed with Türkiye since 2020 and formally supported by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
He noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has consistently advocated for international recognition of the TRNC, calling for this during the last three United Nations General Assemblies.
Üstel underscored that the TRNC’s recent observer status within the Organization of Turkic States has elevated its standing, expanding social, political, and economic ties with the Turkic world to unprecedented levels.
In his message, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu recognized the role of the TRNC as a symbol of independence and freedom. Ataoğlu expressed pride in the Turkish Cypriot struggle, noting that this journey was deeply supported by Türkiye.
“This historic day,” he said, “marks the Turkish Cypriot people’s commitment to freedom and security.” Ataoğlu emphasized that the TRNC deserves recognition by the international community and affirmed his ministry’s dedication to advancing this goal, reiterating that it is vital not only for Turkish Cypriots but also for “regional peace and stability.
The Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı joined in celebrating the TRNC’s transformation into an independent state, an achievement he described as rare.
Reflecting on November 15 as a day of “great pride and joy,” Arıklı reiterated his ministry’s dedication, with Türkiye’s support, to building a modern, sustainable infrastructure for the TRNC.
The ministry has prioritized modernization of the transportation network, strengthening of infrastructure, and completion of energy, healthcare, education, and agriculture projects to ensure a prosperous future. “Our most important duty,” he stated, “is to leave a stronger and more modern TRNC for the next generation.”
Former President Derviş Eroğlu’s anniversary message reflected on the challenges faced by Turkish Cypriots, acknowledging Türkiye’s critical support through these struggles. Eroğlu described the 1983 proclamation of the TRNC, marked by his own proud signature, as “one of the most significant steps in our history.” Reflecting on ongoing regional instability, Eroğlu stressed the TRNC’s continued strength and progress under Türkiye’s defence support.
He reiterated that Turkish Cypriots have been unjustly isolated and subjected to embargoes, and he argued that the Greek Cypriot administration’s refusal to compromise is the primary barrier to peace.