Turkish officials and state institutions issued a barrage of statements on the 52nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, reiterating Ankara’s long-standing position that the 1974 military operation was allegedly a “peacekeeping operation” that ensured the safety of Turkish Cypriots.

In a post on X, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, reiterated the claim that the Turkish invasion “secured the freedom, security, and future of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

As he argued, Turkey carried out the operation “in accordance with the rights and obligations arising from the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee” and, together with “Turkish Cypriot fighters,” averted, he claimed, the “danger of annihilation” facing the Turkish Cypriots.

Hakan Fidan further argued that the Turkish army “laid the foundations of peace, tranquility, and stability” which, he said, have prevailed in Cyprus for more than half a century.

“Today, Turkish Cypriots continue to live freely, with dignity and security under the umbrella of the TRNC,” he said.

At the same time, he assured that Turkey, as the “motherland and guarantor,” will continue to “resolutely defend the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

The Mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavas, described the Turkish invasion of July 20, 1974, as “the will of a nation defending peace and human dignity.”

In his message, he congratulated the Turkish Cypriots on the so-called “Day of Peace and Freedom” and made special mention of Bülent Ecevit, Necmettin Erbakan, and Rauf Denktash.

“We will never stop defending the just struggle of the Turkish Cypriots, just as we did yesterday, so too today,” he said.

The former Vice President of Turkey and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Fuat Oktay, stated that Ankara will continue to support the pseudo-state and the Turkish Cypriots.

“Just as we did yesterday, so too today, we will continue to stand by the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people and resolutely defend their rights on every platform,” he said.

The Turkish Ministry of the Interior asserted that the 1974 invasion was a “historic turning point” for ensuring peace and security in Cyprus.

According to the statement, the operation by the Turkish Armed Forces “guaranteed the existence and security of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

The Turkish Coast Guard, in a statement, said it honors the Turkish soldiers who lost their lives during the invasion, as well as the veterans who participated in the operation.

The vice president of the ruling Justice and Development Party, Zafer Sirakaya, described July 20 as an “unforgettable turning point” in the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle for independence, security, and freedom.

He asserted that the pseudo-state is “an integral part of our shared history, our unwavering brotherhood, and Turkey’s vision for peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

“As Turkey and as the Justice and Development Party, we continue to support the just struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people with the same determination and strong will,” he said.

Sirakaya added that peace, security, and prosperity of the pseudo-state are “our own concern,” reiterating Ankara’s full political support for the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

Source: CNA