Türkiye's President Erdogan Arrives In Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus
Date
7/20/2024 3:11:57 PM
(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived on Saturday in
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to attend events
marking the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, known
as Peace and Freedom Day, Azernews reports citing
Anadolu Agency reports.
Erdogan was welcomed by Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar at
Ercan Airport in the capital Lefkosa. Following a welcoming
ceremony, Erdogan laid a wreath at the Ataturk Monument in the city
and signed the site's special book.
"We are experiencing the rightful pride of reaching the 50th
anniversary of the July 20 Peace Operation, which our heroic Armed
Forces carried out shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish Cypriot
people.
"The Turkish nation once again showed to the world its
unwavering commitment to its independence and future through this
operation. The Turkish Cypriot people continue their struggle for
independence, crowned with victory, with the steadfast support of
the Motherland Türkiye, and they look towards the future with hope
and confidence," Erdogan wrote in the book.
He also commemorated the Turkish soldiers who "left these lands
as their homeland," and extended his gratitude to veterans who
fought in the operation.
Erdogan was accompanied by Turkish parliamentary speaker Numan
Kurtulmus.
The island of Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute
between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of
diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement.
Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish
Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety.
In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece's annexation of
the island led to Türkiye's military intervention as a guarantor
power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As
a result, the TRNC was founded in 1983.
The Greek Cypriot administration was admitted to the EU in 2004,
the same year Greek Cypriots thwarted a UN plan to end the
longstanding dispute.
MENAFN20072024000195011045ID1108462642
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.