State and government officials have issued messages highlighting the significance of the 50th anniversary of the July 20 Peace Operation.
Messages were issued by Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, Minister for Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı as well as other cabinet ministers.
The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre in his message said that with the Peace Operation, the Turkish Cypriots regained their freedom and independence.
“The Peace Operation has ensured that the tight ties based on historical relations with Türkiye have been irrevocably strengthened” said Töre.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in his message to mark the day said that the Turkish Cypriot people have achieved the life they deserve under the roof of a sovereign state, within their own borders, in security, with their own identity.
“The Turkish Cypriot people will protect their security, freedom and sovereignty, and will protect and preserve their state forever,” said Üstel.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu’s message was very clear “We are stronger together (with Türkiye) on the 50th anniversary of our freedom.”
He also praised motherland Türkiye for always supporting the Turkish Cypriot people.
The Minister for Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people were reborn on July 20, 1974 and that the day was a turning point in Turkish Cypriot history.