TRNC News Today 21^st July 2015

20th July Peace and Freedom Day was celebrated

The 41st Anniversary of the 20th July Peace and Freedom Day was celebrated with various ceremonies throughout the whole island yesterday. Within the framework of celebrations, ceremonies were held at martyrdoms and at the Ataturk Monument in Lefkoşa.

The ceremony which was held at Dr. Fazıl Küçük Boulevard started with the speeches of President Akıncı and the Turkish President Erdoğan and ended with the official parade.

Akıncı : “Not only Turkey’s but also Greece’s support will be needed during this resolution process”.

In his speech during the ceremony at Dr. Fazıl Küçük Boulevard, President Akıncı said their aim was to reach a bi-communal, bi-zonal, politically equal and secure federal solution as stated in the 11 February 2014 joint statement. He also stated “I would like to point out that not only Turkey’s but also Greece’s support will be needed during this resolution process”.

Akıncı pointed to the importance of each side knowing each other with the support of Turkey and Greece; “after years of being apart, it is time for the sides to see each other as partners of the future, not as the enemies that hate each other” he said.

Akıncı also condemned the attack in Şanlıurfa and expressed condolences to all of the Turkish nation and the families of those who lost their lives in the attack.

“Enosis was prevented”

In his speech, President Akıncı pointed to the importance of the 20th July military intervention which prevented the Greek coup and Enosis in the island. Along with the 20th July, Turkish Cypriots have started to live in the north side and it prepared a substructure to a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution. Akıncı noted that Turkish Cypriots live in peace in their region now and this was provided by the 20th July intervention.

Turkish President Erdoğan: “Turkish Cypriot side put forth their will for a solution”

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that their primary aim was to reach a comprehensive solution which will guarantee political equality and legal rights of the Turkish Cypriot side. Erdoğan added: “Our desire is to reach a settlement as soon as possible. The Turkish Cypriot side put forth their will for a solution and it is time for the Greek Cypriot side to show the same sincerity”.

Erdoğan attended the ceremony organized for the 41^st Anniversary of Peace and Freedom Day. In his speech during the ceremony, Erdoğan congratulated the 20th July Peace and Freedom Day of the Turkish Cypriots, expressed Turkey’s regards and congratulated Ramadan Bairam as well.

Stating that there is a boom in the tourism sector in the TRNC and there are more than 70,000 students in the island; Erdoğan said that it was their aim to make the TRNC one of the most important tourism and education centres.

Referring to the water project, Erdoğan said that the water project will be the symbol of strong relations between Turkey and the TRNC.

Siber: “We have reached the present days through our struggle with a soul of unity and solidarity”

Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber said that Turkish Cypriot community has reached the present days through the struggle with a soul of unity and solidarity. Siber also expressed that the Turkish Cypriot community has experienced very difficult days but they never lost their hope.

In her message on the 20th July Peace and Freedom Day, Siber expressed: “I believe that we will reach more beautiful days with our unity and solidarity soul. Our desire is to reach the life quality level of developed countries and to see our community as a part of the international community with our own social identity”.

Furthermore, in her message, Siber commemorated martyrs with mercy and gratitude and thanked all veterans.

Ceremony at Yavuz Çıkarma Beach and world record from Karabay

A ceremony was held at Yavuz Çıkarma Beach within the celebrations of the 41st Anniversary of 20th July Peace and Freedom Day.

The ceremony started at 8.20 am with laying of wreaths on the sea and then the flags were brought from Turkey – Aydıncık, by yachts of TRNC Sail Motor Shovel Federation. The record for the longest stay under the sea was broken by Cem Karabay at this year’s celebrations. Guinness World Record Referee Şeyda Subaşı Gemici approved the Karabay record which was increased from 52 hours to 72 hours and presented a certificate to him.

After his record, Cem Karabay made a brief statement to the press and stated that he presented his new record to the 20th July Peace and Freedom Day.