President Ersin Tatar inaugurates park named after him in Diyarbakır
“The existence of two separate and sovereign States in Cyprus must be acknowledged.”
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President Ersin Tatar inaugurated the “Ersin Tatar Park” in Diyarbakır, which is named after him, where he also held a press conference in front of the Cyprus Peace Monument there.
The President said he had been touched by the “show of solidarity and hospitality” shown to him by officials and inhabitants of Diyarbakır.
Following the inauguration ceremony of the Ersin Tatar Park, the President met with numerous veterans where they discussed the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot People, the sacrifices made in order to stop the bloodshed and to bring peace to the island of Cyprus and freedom to the Turkish Cypriot people.
Holding a press conference in front of the Cyprus Peace Monument built in memory of the martyrs and veterans who had participated in the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, President Tatar said: “I am very touched by this meaningful act by officials and the people of Diyarbakır, who have displayed heartfelt love and affection towards the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot People for which I wish to express sincere gratitude for myself and on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot People.”
The President stated that the close contact between the TRNC and Diyarbakır in recent years has increased with the start of direct flights, and said he believes these ties will “continue to be strengthened and developed further”. Referring to the importance of the monument built there in memory of the martyrs and veterans who took part in the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, President Tatar stated that a new era had started in 1974. He said the Peace Operation had paved the way for the foundations to be laid for the proclamation of the TRNC – which has just celebrated its 39th anniversary.
Recalling the call of the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the UN General Assembly to the international community to formally recognise the TRNC and the subsequent development of the TRNC being granted the status of an observer member in the Organisation of Turkic States, President Tatar said: “These events have indeed strengthened the sovereign equality and equal international status policy.”
The President underlined the importance of the TRNC in continuing to exist as a sovereign State in the eastern Mediterranean, adding: “Peace that has existed in Cyprus since 1974 is essentially what we all have in our hearts. For the continuation of peace, the fact that two separate States in Cyprus is a reality must now be acknowledged. Negotiations for a federal based settlement have been exhausted. It is time to break the unacceptable status quo and to reaffirm the inherent rights of Turkish Cypriot People. It is time to treat the Turkish Cypriots as equals in status, treatment and opportunity.”
Stating that there are new developments in the eastern Mediterranean with regards to hydrocarbons and natural gas, the President underlined the importance of the Blue Homeland doctrine. President Tatar said: “The survival of the Turkish State in the eastern Mediterranean is the key and insurance of stability in the region.” The President also commemorated the martyrs and veterans with gratitude by adding “may the martyrs rest in eternal peace and the veterans have long healthy lives”.
“The strength and mobility of the Turkish Security Forces is evident”
Upon the request for his assessment regarding the lifting of the arms embargo by the US on the Greek Cypriot Administration, President Tatar said: “They should not expect Motherland Türkiye and us to be spectators to the increasing armament activities of the Greek Cypriot Side.”
President Tatar added that the island of Cyprus is geographically located only “minutes” away from the Turkish mainland and said: “The strength and mobility of the Turkish Armed Forces is evident. . .F16s can be dispatched to the island and arrive in little over five minutes, and the Turkish army can be in the island in 10 minutes."
Referring to the recent operations carried out in Iraq and Syria, President Tatar expressed his heartfelt support to the Turkish Armed Forces in their fight against the terrorist organisations, and condemning the attacks carried out by terrorists, the President stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people are always with Motherland Türkiye in this just struggle.