President Ersin Tatar has said that the two-state policy supported by Türkiye was receiving more and more acceptance by the day.

He said the need for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) expressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at every opportunity was a source of pride for the Turkish Cypriot people.

Receiving a group of war veterans from Mardin, Türkiye who had served in the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation, President Ersin Tatar said that Türkiye’s military intervention on July 20, 1974 was a turning point for Turkish Cypriots and their struggle for freedom and independence.

“The struggle waged was one for the existence of Turks in Cyprus,” he said, adding that an agreement to be reached in Cyprus could only be on the basis of a two-state solution and the recognition of the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Tatar also said that Türkiye’s guarantees and the presence of Turkish troops on the island were the safeguard of the Turkish Cypriot people’s happiness, prosperity and security.

“Our two-state policy, which is fully supported by Ankara, is receiving more and more acceptance every passing day. We are proud of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who voices the need at every opportunity for the international recognition of the TRNC,” he stressed.

Tatar pointed out that Turkish Cypriot freedom fighters had shown great courage before 1974, resisting against Greek Cypriot attacks.

“We are grateful to our martyrs and veterans. We owe you our freedom. The 1974 Turkish Peace Operation paved the way for the creation of the TRNC,” he said.