Tatar: “Our Struggle Is for Sovereignty”

The event began with the laying of wreaths, a moment of silence, a gun salute, and the raising of flags accompanied by the National Anthem. Hıfsiye Poyrazlı recited the poem “Çınarlı Şehitleri,” followed by speeches from Kemal Latif of the Çınarlı Lovers Association and President Ersin Tatar.

In his speech, President Tatar underlined that the core issue for the Turkish Cypriot people is sovereignty, affirming that sovereignty and the state would be preserved forever. He stated that surrender would be a betrayal to the martyrs, and emphasized that Turkish Cypriots would never adopt a submissive stance.

Tatar said that although Çınarlı has lost martyrs in various years, the struggle continues. He accused the Greek Cypriot side of engaging in recent efforts to destabilize the economy and pressure the Turkish Cypriot community, asserting that with support from Turkey, Turkish Cypriots remain committed to upholding the legacy of the martyrs.

Reiterating that Turkish Cypriots have equal rights to sovereignty as Greek Cypriots, Tatar stressed that there would be no retreat from the path of two-state policy. “We must never take a step back in our rightful struggle for existence on these lands,” he said.

Tatar also referenced Turkey’s support in the Eastern Mediterranean and expressed the TRNC’s goal of achieving full membership in the Organization of Turkic States, aiming to be the strong representative of the Turkish world in the south.

Concluding his speech, Tatar called for unity, warning that a defeatist mentality would lead nowhere and would amount to betrayal of the martyrs. He urged continued dedication to the state, republic, and national values, stressing the importance of honoring the Turkish Cypriot struggle with dignity and perseverance.