President Tatar Marks 51st Anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation with a Call for Sovereignty and Unity with Türkiye
July 20, 2025 – “The Turkish Armed Forces and Cypriot mujahideen wrote a legend,” declared President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the 51st anniversary of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, emphasizing the heroic resistance that saved the Turkish Cypriot people from annihilation and laid the foundation for today’s sovereign state.
In an exclusive interview with TRT Haber marking Peace and Freedom Day, Tatar celebrated the day Turkish Cypriots were “liberated from oppression and ethnic cleansing,” and stressed that the only viable path forward is the institutionalization of a two-state solution, in full partnership with the Republic of Türkiye.
“A new path has begun in Cyprus through the two-state policy. Our only way forward is to walk this sacred road hand in hand with our motherland Türkiye,” he said.
A Turning Point in Eastern Mediterranean History
President Tatar described the 1974 Peace Operation as a turning point not just for Turkish Cypriots, but for the Eastern Mediterranean region. Asserting that the intervention halted ethnic violence and secured Turkish Cypriots’ presence on the island, Tatar reminded the world that the Turkish Armed Forces came “not as invaders, but as saviors.”
“In 1974, Türkiye came to rescue us — the grandchildren of the Ottomans,” said Tatar. “Fifty-one years later, we still stand proud and free, a nation in its own homeland.”
He also reiterated the TRNC’s geostrategic value, particularly as the heart of the Blue Homeland doctrine and a vital node in the Eastern Mediterranean. “We are the gate of the Turkic world to the Mediterranean,” he affirmed.
Global Platform: The 5+1 Talks
Tatar reflected on recent diplomatic engagements, particularly the UN-hosted 5+1 Informal Meeting on Cyprus in New York, where the TRNC emphasized its position for sovereign equality.
“With Türkiye’s full backing, our two-state vision has been institutionalized despite opposition. The world is beginning to respect our stance,” he noted. “No model that ignores the will and identity of the Turkish Cypriots can succeed.”
The Republic Complex: A Symbol of Permanence
Highlighting the new Republic Complex in Lefkoşa — constructed with Türkiye’s support — Tatar praised the project as a symbol of unity and endurance.
“This complex is not only the administrative heart of Northern Cyprus; it has become the center of the entire island,” he said. “We are grateful to President Erdoğan for standing with us and investing in our future.”
He underscored that the presence and strengthening of the TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean is not just a matter of national pride but a pillar of regional stability and Turkish influence.
Ongoing Challenges and Unbreakable Resolve
Despite the enduring success of the 1974 operation, Tatar emphasized that Turkish Cypriots still face significant challenges — from international non-recognition to economic embargoes and political exclusion.
Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot administration, which joined the European Union in 2004, continues to benefit from open trade and migration policies with Greece, tilting the demographic and economic balance. In contrast, the TRNC remains isolated in many international platforms.
“But we do not beg for recognition,” Tatar said. “We stand upright, shoulder to shoulder with Türkiye, and continue to build a future based on justice, dignity, and sovereignty.”
A Nation That Endures
On this 51st anniversary of the Peace Operation, commemorative events were held across Northern Cyprus, including military parades and official tributes. For Turkish Cypriots, July 20 is more than just a date on the calendar — it is a defining moment of survival, honor, and statehood.
“The Turkish army and our own brave resistance fighters wrote a legend that day,” Tatar concluded. “We honor their legacy by preserving our freedom and moving forward as a proud, sovereign people — forever united with our motherland.”
