A ceremony was held in front of the Topçuköy Martyrs Monument to commemorate the nine Topçuköy residents who were martyred during the National Struggle years and the 1974 Peace Operation.
During his speech at the ceremony, the Mayor of İskele Hasan Sadıkoğlu stated that the Turkish Cypriot people had paid great sacrifices to exist and live freely and independently on the island.
Also speaking President Ersin Tatar said, “If today we live independently and freely on these lands, it is because of the sacrifices made by the martyrs. Peace and freedom came to the island with the 20th of July Peace Operation.”
The President expressed his respect and gratitude to those who lost their lives in defending the homeland.
Stressing that the good intentions shown by the Turkish Cypriot side had always been rejected, Tatar reiterated that a federal-based agreement was no longer possible in Cyprus.
Stating that Türkiye’s active and effective guarantees as well as the presence of Turkish forces on the island were their red lines, , President Tatar said that there will be no compromises from these two issues.
He also said that the Turkish Cypriot side desired a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.
The ceremony ended with prayers.