TRNC President Tatar: There is no place for Greek Cypriot hegemony on these lands

The GCA held a military parade in South Nicosia for the so-called "Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus." In addition to Greek Cypriot political and military officials, Greek Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis and Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis attended the ceremony, which was also attended by GCA leader Nikos Christodoulides. The flight of Greek F-16 fighter jets during the ceremony drew attention.

TRNC President Ersin Tatar reacted harshly to the situation. Tatar described the statements made by Christodoulides at the ceremony as "the clearest indicator of the hegemony and imposition policy that the Greek Cypriot side has been pursuing for a long time." In his statement, President Tatar noted that the Greek Cypriot leader's words were a clear declaration of a mentality that has not changed for years, stating, "Their only vision for the future is to subjugate the Turkish Cypriot people and force us to accept their maximalist goals.

The participation of Greek fighter jets in the ceremonies, and the fact that they display their new weapons against our people while talking about peace on the one hand, is the clearest expression of this mentality. Despite this, there are still those who ignore this intention. There are those who try to market Greek Cypriot hegemony to the public as a solution. But everyone should know that the Turkish Cypriot people will never surrender their will to anyone else," he said.

"THE STRONGEST RESPONSE"

Underlining that the path of the Turkish Cypriot people is drawn by their own state, Tatar said, "The symbol of the will of the Turkish Cypriot people is their own state. This vision is supported in the clearest way by the statements and decisions of the highest authorities in Turkey. Yesterday's statement by the National Security Council is not only a support for our vision but also the strongest response given to Greek and Greek Cypriot threats," he expressed.

"HELLENISM PROPAGANDA IS BEING CONDUCTED IN CYPRUS"

Tatar noted that Hellenism propaganda is still being conducted in Cyprus and that this understanding continues to exist unchanged on the Greek Cypriot side. Stating that this mentality is aimed at ignoring the Turkish Cypriot people and making them give up on their own state, Tatar said, "Against this propaganda, our people stand tall shoulder to shoulder with the Motherland Turkey."

President Tatar also recalled the decision of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) dated July 18, 2024, and highlighted Turkey's strong support for the two-state solution vision. He also reminded that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the international community to recognize the TRNC in his speeches at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly for the last 4 years.

Giving a message of reconciliation and cooperation, TRNC President Tatar said that a fair and sustainable peace in Cyprus can only be built on concrete realities on the ground. In his statement, Tatar said, "No one can deny the existence of two states, two peoples, and two democracies in Cyprus.

If these realities are accepted, our island will become an island of peace, tranquility, and prosperity. However, if the Greek Cypriot side continues to arm itself, maintains an aggressive blockade policy to preserve isolation, and does not abandon its unilateral activities, whatever is necessary will be done to protect the rights of our people. This is our constitutional duty," he said.

Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot people continue their path with confidence under the effective and de facto guarantee of Turkey, Tatar said, "There is no place for Greek Cypriot hegemony on these lands and there never will be."