President Ersin Tatar who flew to Türkiye on Monday met with members of the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
President Tatar discussed the Cyprus issue and the ongoing collaboration between Türkiye and the TRNC.
President Tatar emphasized the importance of the new political approach jointly pursued with Türkiye, which he claims has brought stability.
He reiterated that any future agreement regarding Cyprus must involve a two-state solution.
As part of his Sakarya visit, President Ersin Tatar on Monday met with the province’s business leaders at a luncheon attended by Sakarya Governor Yaşar Karadeniz.
Tatar noted that he accepted the invitation from Sakarya MP Ali İnci and mentioned his meeting with veterans of the Cyprus Peace Operation.
Highlighting the upcoming 50th anniversary of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation on July 20, Tatar expressed his gratitude to the veterans, saying, “Had you not participated as soldiers, both Türkiye and the TRNC would have lost their independence and freedom.”
Addressing the historical injustices faced by Turkish Cypriots, President Tatar criticized the Greek Cypriot efforts to annex Cyprus to Greece and the subsequent unfair treatment of Turkish Cypriots.
He remarked, “We said yes to the Annan Plan, the Greek Cypriots said no, yet they were still admitted to the EU. The message that Türkiye should solve the Cyprus issue essentially suggests abandoning the Turkish Cypriots. Türkiye has never left the TRNC alone; we gained our independence in 1974. Their goal is to create a rift between Turkish Cypriots and Türkiye. The motherland, blue homeland, and daughterland will move forward together. Our rights, our laws, and our airspace supremacy are valuable criteria.”
Tatar also highlighted the significant progress in tourism in the TRNC, achieved despite embargoes and isolation, thanks to Türkiye’s support.
Additionally, he pointed out the importance of water supplied to the island through pipelines from Türkiye, describing it as a blessing.
Reaffirming the stability achieved through the new political strategy with Türkiye, Tatar concluded, “If there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, it is only possible with a two-state solution.”