Kılıçdaroğlu visits Ecevit's grave: 'Peace has truly come to the Island'

Former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu visited and commemorated the late Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit at his grave in the State Cemetery on the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. Kılıçdaroğlu was accompanied by CHP deputies Aliye Timisi Ersever, Deniz Demir, Okan Konuralp, and Uğur Bayraktutan. After placing roses on Ecevit's grave, Kılıçdaroğlu also visited the grave of former CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal.

'PEACE HAS TRULY COME TO THE ISLAND'

Making a statement after the commemoration at Ecevit's grave, Kılıçdaroğlu said the following:

''In a press statement he made after the Cyprus Peace Operation, Bülent Ecevit said that they would bring peace to Cyprus not only for the Turks but also for the Greeks. We see that over the course of 50 years, peace has truly come to the Island. No one has been harmed. Another feature of this operation is that an important step and duty was given to the people of Cyprus regarding the creation of an independent state. Thus, Cypriots should continue their path as an independent state in Cyprus. If this can be achieved, peace will be truly consolidated. Two separate countries, two separate states, will live on the same island in a way that respects each other. This is extremely valuable and important in terms of ensuring security and peace, and having tranquility in the Mediterranean.

KILIÇDAROĞLU ALSO THANKS ERBAKAN

Another hero of the Peace Operation is the late Necmettin Erbakan. He served in the same process as Deputy Prime Minister. His grave is also in Istanbul. We wish him mercy from here as well. We express our gratitude for the duty he performed.

''THE EUROPEAN UNION SHOULD ENTER INTO DIRECT TRADE RELATIONS WITH THE TRNC''

There is one more thing that needs to be emphasized. After the Annan Plan, a referendum was held in European Union countries, and the Turkish side voted in favor in that referendum. The European Union had said that if you vote in favor, even if the Greeks do not, we will support you and put the direct trade regulation into effect, and the European Union would enter into direct trade relations with the Turkish side. Despite many years passing, the European Union has not fulfilled this duty. Every time I went to Europe, I always told European Union officials that what they were doing did not align with Europe's ethical values, and that while they give moral lessons to the whole world when the time and place come, they did not keep this promise. I repeat my same words here at the grave of the late Ecevit. Let the European Union keep its promise and do what is required of it. Let it enter into direct trade relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.''

News Source: 12punto