President Ersin Tatar embarked on his official contacts in Türkiye on Monday, which includes Afyonkarahısar, Ankara, and Çanakkale.
His first stop was at the Afyonkarahısar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he participated in a business community meeting.
President Tatar also met with veterans at the Afyonkarahısar Branch of the Turkish War Disabled Veterans, Martyrs’ Widows and Orphans Association.
Additionally, he visited Kocatepe, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk initiated the Great Offensive during the Turkish War of Independence.
Speaking during his visit to the Afyonkarahısar Chamber of Commerce on Monday, President Ersin Tatar emphasized the importance of mutual visits in strengthening relations between Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), particularly as the Turkish Republic was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people were being unjustly kept under isolation, Tatar highlighted the vital nature of the relationship with Türkiye and expressed his hope for the development of cooperation in the fields of tourism, education, and agriculture.
Referring to the years of the national struggle, Tatar mentioned that with the support of the motherland, the Turkish Cypriot people have become a sovereign state today, and they continue to pursue a two-state solution in Cyprus.
In Afyonkarahısar, President Ersin Tatar also visited the Afyonkarahısar Branch of the Turkish War Disabled Veterans, Martyrs’ Widows and Orphans Association and had a conversation with veterans who served in Cyprus.
Speaking at the meeting, Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot people owed their peace, security and state to the martyrs and veterans.
He noted that the Turkish Cypriot people had experienced in the 1960s what is happening today in Ukraine and Palestine.
He pointed out that the argument that the system of guarantees is outdated and that such events will never occur again have been disproven by the outbreak of regional conflicts.
Tatar emphasized that throughout history, humanity has shown that aggression can emerge at any time, and that communities can become victims of massacres.
“The Turkish Armed Forces is our reassurance and we do not approve of its withdrawal from the island,” he said, adding that the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after 1974 marked a new turning point for the Turkish Cypriot people.
He mentioned that Türkiye and the TRNC are now inseparable, taking strides towards international recognition with Türkiye’s support.
Tatar assured that they would continue to stand by the TRNC and expressed their gratitude to the veterans.
The president later laid a wreath at Kocatepe, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk initiated the Great Offensive during the Turkish War of Independence.
“I am experiencing one of the most honourable and dignified days of my life,” Tatar said as he spoke at the ceremony.
He recounted his childhood and how he always held a deep love for Atatürk and Türkiye during the years of the national struggle. Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriot people are following in Atatürk’s path and embracing his principles and reforms.
As part of his other contacts, President Ersin Tatar visited the Captain Ağa Efendi Martyrs’ cemetery after his other engagements.