Parliamentary motion on the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation accepted

In the TBMM General Assembly, a motion titled "The 50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation," bearing the signature of TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, was read and accepted.

The motion, which states that the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation is being observed with great pride and happiness, conveys sincere congratulations for the Peace and Freedom Day of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The motion stated, "July 20 is the liberation day of the Turkish Cypriot people, who have resisted the pain and hardships they endured for years with courage and patience. It is a symbol of the protection of sovereign rights and equal status on the island. The dark period that began in 1963 with the Greek Cypriots' usurpation of the partnership state and continued with exiles and massacres ended with this operation; the existence and security of the Turkish Cypriots were guaranteed, and an environment of peace and security was established on the island."

Underlining that the fact that no blood has been shed on the island of Cyprus for the following half-century is the permanent legacy and indisputable proof of the success of the Peace Operation, the motion stated, "This operation, which takes its name from peace and saved the Turkish Cypriots from absolute extinction, was carried out on the basis of the rights and obligations of the Republic of Turkey stemming from the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.

In this way, the annexation of the island through Enosis dreams and a fait accompli was also prevented."

"NO RESULTS COULD BE ACHIEVED DUE TO THE GREEK SIDE'S UNCOMPROMISING ATTITUDE"

Noting that the victory achieved hand-in-hand by the heroic soldiers of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Cypriot mujahideen was the first step taken in the formation of the independent Turkish Cypriot State, the motion included the following statements:

"We commemorate with respect, gratitude, and mercy Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, who made the decision for the operation; Deputy Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan; Chief of General Staff Semih Sancar, who executed the operation with great success despite the difficulties and concluded it with victory; and the pioneering figures of the independence struggle, Dr. Fazıl Küçük and Rauf Denktaş. We remember with mercy and gratitude our Mehmetçik (Turkish soldiers) and mujahideen who fought shoulder to shoulder in the Turkish Cypriots' struggle for existence, the unsung heroes of the operation, and our martyrs and veterans. In the 50 years that have passed, the Turkish Cypriots, walking with success and confidence on the path opened by the Peace Operation, crowned their struggle for sovereignty in 1983 by declaring the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus under the leadership of the late Founding President Rauf Denktaş."

Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot people, with the support of Turkey, have made good-faith efforts for a fair, permanent, and sustainable solution, the motion stated, "However, despite the constructive role of the Turkish side in the negotiation process that has been ongoing for over 50 years, no results could be achieved due to the uncompromising attitude of the Greek side. While Greek Cypriots were rewarded with European Union membership, Turkish Cypriots were subjected to unjust and inhumane isolation, restrictions, and embargoes. The Turkish Cypriots neither deserve nor accept this situation. They no longer have the patience to be stalled or to waste time with proposals that do not foresee political equality and the sharing of the island's natural resources on the basis of equality."

"THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION POLICY IS THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE PERMANENT PEACE"

Stating that the only and definitive solution on the island will be possible through the delivery of the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and the registration of their sovereign equality and equal international status, the motion included the following:

"The two-state solution policy is also the only way to ensure stability and permanent peace in the Mediterranean region. The existence of two separate peoples and two separate states on the island should no longer be ignored. It is essential that attempts to resolve the Cyprus issue be built upon this reality. The Turkish Cypriot State taking its rightful place as an independent and equal sovereign member of the international community can no longer be delayed. In this context, it is gratifying that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, an inseparable part of the Turkic World, has gained observer member status in the Organization of Turkic States and the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States. Completing these developments with further steps is our most natural expectation."

"TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE GUARANTOR OF THE FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY OF TURKISH CYPRIOTS"

Using the phrases, "We invite the international community to accept the realities on the island, to end the inhumane isolation to which the Turkish Cypriot people are subjected as soon as possible, and to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as it deserves," the motion recorded the following:

"We emphasize that we will continue our efforts in this direction together with our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters until we reach a result. Turkey will continue to be the guarantor of the freedom and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots in the future as it has been until today, and will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a 'guarantor state' and 'Motherland' with sensitivity. It will not allow the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people to be eroded in any way. The full support of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the Republic of Turkey for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will continue under all circumstances and without interruption. On this historic day, as we observe the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, we reaffirm our bond of heart and cause with our Cypriot kin, and we once again declare our unshakable unity and solidarity to the whole world. Turkish Cypriots will continue to live in peace, tranquility, and security forever under the roof of their independent state and in the shadow of their own flags."