A ceremony was held on Thursday to remember Private Allahverdi Kılıç, who was murdered 26 years ago by Greek Cypriot soldiers while on duty at his observation post in the village of Güvercinlik.

Wreaths were laid at the observation post where he was killed followed by a minutes silence and the raising of the flags to the national anthem.

The ceremony was attended by President Ersin Tatar.

Addressing the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar highlighted the importance of sovereignty.

“We did not earn our sovereignty easily. We shall never make any concessions or take any steps back,” he said.

President Tatar said that great efforts were being made to ensure the security and safety of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Also touching upon the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Tatar said that the recent developments showed how the TRNC had been created and under which conditions peace was maintained on the island.

“Turkey and TRNC relations are extremely important in this sense,” he added.