Northern Cyprus celebrates its 34th anniversary
NICOSIA
The 34th anniversary of the establishment of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was marked on Nov. 15.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ, Secretary-General of Turkish Presidency Fahri Kasırga, Turkish Cypriot Parliament Speaker Sibel Siber and Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Hüseyin Ozgürgün extended their greetings to Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı at the presidential palace, Anadolu Agency reported.
A ceremony was organized in front of the Mustafa Kemal Atatürk monument in the capital Nicosia, where a minute of silence was observed.
Akıncı wrote in the notebook of monument: “Dear Atatürk, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is 34 years-old today. Turkish Cypriots, who willingly adopted your principles and ideas, continue their struggle to build a safe future on this land taking root.”
Later, Akıncı also attended and addressed a ceremony held at Dr. Fazıl Küçük Boulevard.
Reminding a co-existence in the island, Akıncı reiterated a common solution for the Cyprus issue.
“It should be known that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will live together in Cyprus. A solution without the permission of the Turkish people is not acceptable,” Akıncı told the attendees.
“It is out of question for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to allow a pursuit [for solution] to continue fruitlessly for another 50 years,” he added.
As part of the anniversary, ceremonies were held across the capital.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu also extended greetings in a message posted on Twitter.
“I congratulate the 34th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is the most valuable achievement of the Turkish Cypriot people’s legitimate struggle. Motherland Turkey will always continue to support the Turkish Cypriots,” Çavuşoğlu wrote.
The eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island’s Turks, and Turkey’s military intervention as a guarantor power.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared on Nov. 15, 1983.
It is currently recognized only by Turkey as an independent state.
