Türkiye on Friday called on the international community to recognize and forge ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the 41st anniversary of its founding.

“The international community must establish political, economic and diplomatic relations with the TRNC,” Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said while marking the anniversary on the island by attending a special wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk monument in the capital, Lefkoşa (Nicosia). , alongside Ersin Tatar, president of the RTCN.

Turkish and TRNC flags were flown in the capital and across Turkey on Friday as people celebrated the founding of the TRNC and paid tribute to Dr. Fazıl Küçük, one of the leaders of the country’s struggle for independence. Turkish Cypriots and Rauf Denktaş, the first president of the TRNC.

Yılmaz reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting the Turkish Cypriots in their quest for sovereignty and security and said they had “no time to waste with the old UN parameters that aim for the model of federation tried and failed.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan marked the anniversary on X, sending a message of solidarity and remembrance.

“I congratulate the 41st anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, our friend and brother, guarantor of peace, justice and stability in the Mediterranean,” Erdogan wrote.

He also respectfully honored the memory of “heroic martyrs” and veterans – referring to Turks and Turkish Cypriots who fought ethnic violence and provided security to the island’s Turkish Cypriot community – and extended greetings affectionate to her “Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters”. “

“As a homeland and guarantor, Turkey will always stand by the Turkish Cypriots, protecting their rights and interests,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry also said on X.

It commemorates the TRNC as “the most important symbol of the Turkish Cypriot struggle for sovereignty and freedom.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also marked the milestone, saying: “We proudly celebrate the 41st anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status of Turkish Cypriots, the rightful co-owners of the island, remains our unwavering priority.

“In this regard, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus occupies its rightful place in the international community.”

He also highlighted the strong and enduring bond between Turkey and the TRNC: “Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, whatever the circumstances, will always remain united.”

Turkish Cypriot struggle

Turkish Cypriots have gone through a long political process disrupted by attacks by Greek Cypriots and opposition to their existence on the island.

They were part of the island’s administration when it gained independence from British rule in 1960. Yet just three years later they found themselves the target of a Greek Cypriot campaign aimed at changing their status in a “minority” through amendments to the constitution, thereby demoting them. from the founders of the republic to a simple community without sovereignty rights.

Their rejection of the Greek Cypriot mandate and their struggle for self-determination led to the creation of several administrative entities, from a General Committee established in 1963 to the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus founded in 1975.

In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece’s annexation of the island led to Turkey’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, the TRNC declared its independence on November 15, 1983.

The Greek Cypriot administration was admitted to the European Union in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots thwarted a U.N. plan to end a long-running conflict.

An international embargo against Turkish Cyprus is currently in force in several regions, allowing access to international communications, postal services and transport only through Turkey.

Turkish Cyprus and Turkey have pledged to demand a two-state solution that would guarantee international recognition and equal sovereignty and status, something Greek Cypriots reject.

The Sabah Daily News Bulletin

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