Tatar: “Seeing Turkish Troops Land Was the Greatest Joy in Turkish Cypriot History”

Addressing the official parade in Nicosia, Tatar emphasized that the presence of Turkish soldiers and Turkey’s guarantor status continue to be essential for peace and stability on the island. He described the peace operation as a turning point that ended ethnic violence and ensured the survival of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Tatar also denounced the continued “intransigence and maximalism” of the Greek Cypriot leadership, accusing them of rejecting cooperation in vital areas such as energy and water. He criticized the EU for accepting Greek Cypriots as members even after their rejection of the Annan Plan and reiterated that talks based on a federal solution have been exhausted.

“The Cyprus Turkish people are no longer passive observers. We are now equal actors with a clear vision of a two-state solution,” Tatar said, stressing that the TRNC will no longer be held hostage to Greek Cypriot approval.

He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting international recognition for the TRNC and thanked Turkey for its unwavering support. “With strong backing from Turkey and growing diplomatic outreach, we will ensure that the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people is heard globally,” Tatar said.

The president also pointed to ongoing development projects — including the new Presidential Complex and fiber-optic initiatives — as evidence of the TRNC’s forward momentum. He concluded by paying tribute to the heroes of the Turkish Cypriot struggle and the Turkish soldiers who took part in the 1974 operation, ending his speech with the words: “Happy Peace and Freedom Day!”