President Tatar: Celebrating the 51st Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation

President Tatar: Celebrating the 51st Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation

President Ersin Tatar addressed the main parade on Dr. Fazıl Küçük Boulevard as part of the 51st Anniversary celebrations of the 20th July Peace and Freedom Day. He expressed the community’s deep joy in commemorating this historic milestone for the Turkish Cypriot people.

In his remarks, President Tatar reaffirmed his commitment to representing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on all diplomatic platforms and upholding a two-state solution that defends the rights of Turkish Cypriots. He emphasised that, despite the Greek Cypriot side’s refusal to engage in cooperative dialogue, the TRNC would persist in proposing comprehensive collaborations to benefit both communities—especially on critical issues such as water, energy, and the lifting of unjust restrictions.

Remembering “Bloody Christmas”

President Tatar reflected on the tragic events of December 1963, known as “Bloody Christmas”, describing them as among the darkest chapters in history. These attacks, aimed at enosis (the unification of Cyprus with Greece), led to the deaths of hundreds, the displacement of Turkish Cypriots from 103 villages, and forced many to live in tents. He highlighted the silence of the international community in the face of these injustices and recounted the July 15, 1974 coup, which sought to annihilate the Turkish Cypriot people—a fate avoided through the Cyprus Peace Operation.

Tatar noted that negotiations since 1968 have repeatedly failed to achieve lasting results, calling for a new political approach. He criticised the Greek Cypriot side’s continued use of international recognition as the “Republic of Cyprus” to delay progress, while enforcing isolation and embargoes on Turkish Cypriots: “Every single member of our people has been subject to these unjust and unlawful restrictions,” he said.

He further remarked that, despite the Greek Cypriot side’s rejection of the Annan Plan, they were admitted into the European Union, and later abandoned negotiations at Crans-Montana in 2017. Tatar accused their administration of dragging out the process in hopes of weakening the determination of the Turkish Cypriot people—a strategy he vowed would not succeed.

Direct Flights, Direct Trade, and Direct Contact

Four years ago, in Geneva, Tatar declared that any new negotiation process must begin with recognition of the TRNC’s sovereign equality and international status. He concluded, “We will continue to demand our rights according to the three D’s: Direct Flights, Direct Trade, and Direct Contact.”

Source: TRNC Public Information Office

To read more News click here