The Ayvasıl Martyrs who were killed in 1963 were remembered with a ceremony held in the village of Türkeli.

State and government officials attended the ceremony that began with the laying of wreaths at the martyrs’ monument at the village followed by a minutes silence and the hoisting of the flags to the national anthem.

Speaking during the ceremony President Ersin Tatar stressed that that what happened in Ayvasıl was a massacre rarely seen in the history of humanity and added that it will never be forgotten.

He noting that despite all the sufferings of the Turkish Cypriot people, they continued with their struggle for existence on the island.

“We must never forget what has happened. On this little island, despite all kinds of international agreements, the Turkish Cypriot people, together with Turkey, did not bow to international pressure and have voiced their desire to the world for a two-state solution based on the realities on the island,” said Tatar and added that therefore Turkey’s guarantees were important.

He concluded his speech by commemorating the martyrs.