President Ersin Tatar on Tuesday attended a reception organized by the Cyprus Turkish Cultural Association and the TRNC Istanbul Consulate in honour of the 50th anniversary of the 20th of July Peace Operation.
He was accompanied by First Lady Sibel Tatar at the event, which saw enthusiastic participation from various dignitaries and officials.
In his speech, President Tatar underscored the importance of an agreement based on sovereign equality, emphasizing the deterrent power of the Turkish military presence on the island.
The reception began with remarks from Zehra Bilge Eray, President of the Istanbul Branch of the Cyprus Turkish Cultural Association, who expressed her satisfaction in organizing such an event to commemorate the Peace Operation.
Fatma Demirel, Consul General of the TRNC in Istanbul, highlighted the significance of the Cyprus issue for everyone, noting that the operation on July 20, 1974, secured the independence and freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu shared his pleasure in attending the reception, emphasizing the historical and future importance of the TRNC.
İmamoğlu stressed that the Cyprus issue is too crucial to be subjected to political disputes and polarization, reaffirming continued support for the Turkish Cypriot people and their joint struggle.
He recalled how Türkiye exercised its guarantor rights 50 years ago to rescue the Turkish Cypriot people from oppression, stating that the TRNC holds a special and important place for him.
Deputy Governor of Istanbul, Cengiz Karabulut, also spoke, reminding attendees that July 20 marks the liberation day for the Turkish Cypriot people and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.
President Tatar celebrated the Peace Operation as a legendary event in Cyprus, rescuing Turkish Cypriots from massacres and granting them independence and freedom.
He reiterated his stance for an agreement based on sovereign equality and described the Turkish military presence on the island as a significant deterrent force.
Tatar warned that without the Turkish military and Türkiye’s guarantorship, the suffering seen in Gaza today could have been mirrored in Cyprus.
He praised Türkiye for its unwavering support and efforts in aiding the development and progress of the TRNC, ensuring that the Turkish Cypriot people are never left isolated.
Highlighting the strategic importance of having a Turkish state in the Eastern Mediterranean, Tatar asserted that the TRNC will be perpetually sustained.