The representative of the Turkish National Defence Ministry, General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu who is in the republic to attend the 20th of July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations was received by President Ertsin Tatar and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel on Tuesday.
Speaking during his visit to President Ersin Tatar, General Bayraktaroğlu expressed his happiness from being in the TRNC and expressed support to the Turkish Cypriot side’s policy based on two equal sovereign states.
President Tatar for his part paid tribute to all the martyrs, war veterans and the government officials and leaders who were part of the 20 July Turkish Peace Operation.
Stating that the Turkish Cypriots had not given up their struggle waged with Türkiye’s support despite being subjected to genocide and massacres, he said the foundations of the TRNC were laid with the arrival of Turkish troops on the island on July 20, 1974.
Noting that no outcome could be obtained through negotiations for a federal settlement, the president said the goal of the Greek Cypriot side from a federal settlement was to extend its domination and authority on the whole island.
Tatar also reminded that the Greek Cypriots were allowed to join the European Union unilaterally and that both Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots were excluded despite voting in favour of the Annan Plan.
He argued that the Greek Cypriot side’s policy of “zero troops zero guarantees” would spell the end of Turkish existence on the island.
Stating that the new policy which is based on the cooperation of two sovereign equal states aimed to preserve the peace on the island, Tatar noted that the new policy was being pursued with the full support of Ankara.
Touching upon the importance of regional stability, he said Türkiye which is the most powerful and the biggest country in the region will continue to protect the rights and benefits of both itself and the Turkish Cypriots.
Also receiving the Turkish National Defence Ministry General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel expressed his gratitude to the Turkish Armed Forces, stating that the Turkish Cypriot people owed their freedom and independence to the Turkish forces on the island.
“Today is the day we achieved freedom. Today we are defending our position in favour of two-states and I believe that we shall prevail in achieving this goal together with motherland Türkiye,” he said.
As part of his visits, General Bayraktaroğlu was also received by Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre.