President Ersin Tatar has said that the Turkish Cypriot people will never abandon their state or their sovereignty.

Tatar’s words came in his message issued to mark the December 21-25 National Struggle and Martyrs’ Week.

In a message issued on Tuesday, President Ersin Tatar said that it was never possible to forget the bloody attacks launched by Greek Cypriots on the night of December 21, 1963 with the aim of transforming Cyprus into a Greek island and destroying the Turkish Cypriot people.

He pointed out that Turkish Cypriots were subject to massacres and genocide as a result of the Akritas Plan put into motion by the Greek Cypriots with the aim of wiping out all Turkish existence on the island.

Tatar also reminded that thousands of Turkish Cypriots were forced to flee their homes, their villages and livelihoods in the face of these attacks which resulted in the expulsion of Turkish Cypriots from the 1960 partnership Republic.

“Until Türkiye’s intervention on the morning of July 20 1974, Turkish Cypriots were forced to live in ghettos and enclaves under Greek Cypriot siege for over a decade. It is not possible to forget the pain, suffering and loss we experienced,” he said.

Tatar pointed out that despite the attacks and oppression, Turkish Cypriots, with the support of motherland Türkiye, continued to resist the onslaught and all attempts to turn Cyprus into a Greek island.

“While the price we paid was high, Turkish Cypriots succeeded in preserving their honour and dignity. Peace came to Cyprus on July 20, 1974 and the Turkish Cypriot people achieved their freedom, their independence and statehood,” he said.

The president also pointed out that the Greek Cypriot mentality had not changed in the past 59 years and that they still perceived Turkish Cypriots as a minority.

“We are not a minority but a founding partner in Cyprus with vested sovereign rights. We will never give up our sovereignty, our state or the guarantees provided by motherland Türkiye. Turkish Cypriots are not guests on this island and have as many rights as the Greek Cypriots do. We support a just and lasting solution in Cyprus but it is clear that this cannot be a federal solution. The only realistic solution model in Cyprus is a two-state solution,” he stressed.

President Tatar also reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side will not return to the negotiating table before its sovereign equality and equal international status is recognised.

He added that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to pursue its two-state policy together with motherland Türkiye.

Tatar concluded his message by expressing his gratitude to the martyrs as well as motherland Türkiye, stating that the Turkish Cypriot people would not be where they are today had it not been for their sacrifices.