Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday hailed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on its 38th anniversary.

“I sincerely congratulate the 38th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on this proud day of the Turkish Cypriot people, whom we consider an integral part of our nation,” said Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Twitter.

Erdoğan has long stressed Turkey’s strong ties with the TRNC, founded in 1983, whose efforts on the global stage for recognition and fair treatment he calls Turkey’s “national cause.”

Meanwhile, state and government officials and political party leaders from Turkey have also sent messages to mark the 38th anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC.

Turkish Parliamentary Speaker Mustafa Şentop in a letter to President Ersin Tatar and his counterpart Önder Sennaroğlu, wrote

“On behalf of myself and the members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, I congratulate you on the 38th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with my most heartfelt feelings.”

Noting that Nov. 15, 1983, constituted the most important turning point in the political destiny of the Turkish Cypriot people, Şentop said “this is a glorious day and the Turkish people also felt the same enthusiasm and joy in their hearts”.

The leader of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu also congratulated the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the 38th anniversary of its establishment via his social media account.