A sapling planting event was held in the village of Erenköy on Wednesday.
A total of 80 saplings including pine, cypress, oleander, almond and fig were planted during the event.
President Ersin Tatar, Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri, the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Command Major General Sezai Öztürk, the Commander of the Security Forces Command Major General Zorlu Topaloğlu, the Commander of the 39th Division Command Brigadier General Nihat Ergün, the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dursun Oğuz, Attorney General Sarper Altıncık, the Director General of Police Ahmet Soyalan, the President of the Erenköy Freedom Fighters Association Mustafa Arıkan, Erenköy Fighters and students attended the event.
Addressing the event, President Tatar stressed that a struggle similar to the Battle of Dardanelle had been waged in Erenköy.
“A defeat in Erenköy would have demoralised the Turkish Cypriot people and we wouldn’t have been able to continue our resistance from 1964 to 1974.
Highlighting the importance of the resistance waged in Erenköy in 1964, the President referred to the importance of remembering the Erenköy resistance, stating that it was important to pass onto future generations the history of the region and protecting the TRNC’s sovereignty.
Also addressing the event, Major General Zorlu Topaloğlu stressed the importance of the struggle waged at Erenköy in 1964.
General Topaloğlu said the Turkish Cypriot people despite the limitations and embargoes have been living in peace for the last 48 years since its freedom and security was secured in 1974.