Özersay: Peace Operation Eliminated a Threat That Could Have Erased a People's Existence

Kudret Özersay, Chairman of the People's Party (HP), made exclusive remarks to Kıbrıs Postası regarding the 50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20th.

"We celebrate the 50th anniversary of July 20, 1974. It is possible to evaluate this issue from many perspectives," Özersay said, stressing that everyone should remember that such a military intervention was based on a guarantee agreement.

Noting that this has been somewhat forgotten over the years and needs to be reminded, Kudret Özersay recalled that Turkey intervened based on its right under the guarantee agreement, stating, "This intervention did not happen out of the blue; it should be remembered that Greece carried out a military coup with the intention and desire to turn Cyprus into a Greek island."

"AFTER 1974, TURKEY BEGAN A MORE AUTONOMOUS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY"

Özersay also emphasized that the Cyprus Peace Operation was a critical threshold in the context of Turkey's relations with the West, which should not be overlooked. "After the 1974 intervention, Turkey also entered a more autonomous development process in defense industry," he said.

"OPERATION; IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF ELIMINATING A THREAT THAT COULD ERASE A PEOPLE'S EXISTENCE"

"There are losses for both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities, but if we were to ask what would have happened if the 1974 Peace Operation had not taken place, the answer is clear: most likely, the Turkish Cypriot people would not exist within the world system today," emphasized Kudret Özersay, highlighting the vital importance of the Peace Operation in eliminating a threat that could have erased a people's existence.

"WHAT KIND OF STRUCTURE HAVE WE BUILT IN 50 YEARS?"

"As we reach the 50th anniversary of such an important and courageous step, if we had created a state that works much better here, serves its people better, where the rule of law prevails, and where people have much stronger faith in the state over the past 50 years," Özersay said, pointing out that certain nationalist groups and political figures claiming to defend the national cause in the Cyprus issue have harmed this country and undermined people's faith in the state.

Kudret Özersay concluded by saying, "In this respect, it cannot be said that we have been very successful; therefore, it is imperative that we create a better structure in the future."