President Ersin Tatar has said that a new policy was being pursued with the full support of the Republic of Türkiye and added that they would never accept “zero troops, zero guarantees”.
Stressing that the new policy was the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the basis of sovereign equality, Tatar said that the guarantee and assurance of existence was Türkiye and the Turkish Army.
Tatar also added that the waving of the crescent and star flags in the Eastern Mediterranean was very important for the future.
As part of his contacts in Osmaniye, President Ersin Tatar visited the Osmaniye Branch of the Türkiye War Veterans Association. Tatar, who met with the veterans, stressed that “you are very precious to us; we have never forgotten and will never forget your services.”
President Tatar also came together with representatives of the local press at the Osmaniye City Museum.
Speaking there, Tatar said “we are the representatives of the Turkish world in the Eastern Mediterranean” and expressed determination to further develop ties between the two countries in every sense and to walk confidently towards the future in the age of communication.
Noting that the foundations of the TRNC were strengthened after 1974, he said “the TRNC was established in 1983 with the initiative of the Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş and Türkiye and the sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriot People in the Eastern Mediterranean were reinforced.”
Stating that following his election as President, a new policy was being pursued with the full support of the Republic of Türkiye, the President stressed that they would never accept “zero troops, zero guarantees.”
Tatar also visited the 39th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command Martyr Colonel Halil İbrahim Karaoğlanoğlu Barracks.
Speaking there, the President reminded that Halil İbrahim Karaoğlanoğlu, the Commander of the 50th Infantry Regiment of the Turkish Armed Forces, who landed in Cyprus during the Peace Operation, was martyred adding that Halil İbrahim Karaoğlanoğlu was buried at the Karaoğlanoğlu Martyr’s Cemetery in the TRNC.
Stating that his visit to Osmaniye as the 5th President of the TRNC was important for the memory of Halil İbrahim Karaoğlanoğlu, Tatar said “the Turkish military is very important for the future and security of the Turkish people in Cyprus.”
Stating that what was missing in Cyprus was an agreement, Tatar said according to the new policy this requires reconciliation on the basis of sovereign equality.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriot People demanded the existence of the Turkish Army on the island, with or without a deal, he stressed that the existence of the Turkish military as a deterrent force was the guarantee of peace in Cyprus.
“The existence of the Turkish Army in Cyprus and the guarantee of the Republic of Türkiye is our red line” President Tatar added.