A panel titled “National Will and Democratic Resilience: The 10th Anniversary of 15 July” was held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to mark the tenth anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.
Held at the Zalihe Çavuşoğlu Conference Hall of the Assembly of the Republic of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the panel was attended by Speaker of the Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Türkiye's Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri, Chairperson of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Sıla Usar İncirli, Deputy Speaker Fazilet Özdenefe, along with ministers, members of parliament, bureaucrats, academics, embassy representatives and guests.
The opening session of the panel, organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and the Embassy of Türkiye in Lefkoşa, began with a moment of silence followed by the Turkish National Anthem.
Prior to the panel discussions, a video dedicated to the memory of the 15 July martyrs was screened, followed by a recorded video message from the Presidency's Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran.
In his video message, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran emphasised that Türkiye has the strength and determination to combat all threats to its sovereignty and independence. Noting that FETO poses a security threat not only to Türkiye but also to all countries in which it operates, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran underscored the importance of friendly and allied countries acting in solidarity with Türkiye in countering the terrorist organisation.
Head of Communications Duran noted that 15 July offers valuable lessons for the international community in countering hybrid threats, disinformation and crises of truth and emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation and solidarity in addressing global challenges while fostering a fairer international order.
The opening session featured addresses by Speaker of the TRNC Assembly Öztürkler, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, and Türkiye's Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri.
“No one can separate us from our motherland.”
In his address, Speaker of the Republican Assembly Öztürkler underscored that the histories, destinies and futures of the Turkish Cypriot people and Türkiye are intertwined, stating: “No one can separate us from our motherland. No force can sever the bond of affection between Türkiye and the TRNC.”
Öztürkler stated that 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day stands as a symbol of the Turkish nation's defence of democracy, the national will and independence, adding that, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish nation thwarted the coup plotters.
Recalling that the Turkish Cypriot people stood in solidarity with those who defended the will of the nation on 15 July, Öztürkler said: “The epic written that night proved to the entire world that the will of the nation triumphs over the force of arms.”
"No force stands above the will of the nation"
Prime Minister Üstel of the TRNC stated that the Turkish nation's historic victory over arms during the FETO coup attempt on 15 July 2016 and its defence of democratic legitimacy have become a universal example, adding: “No force stands above the will of the nation.”
Üstel noted that the relationship between Türkiye and the TRNC transcends diplomatic ties, highlighting that the two are bound by common history, destiny, and future.
Describing 15 July as the nation's victory over the force of arms, Üstel stated that, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish nation stood up for its democratic will that night.
Expression of gratitude to the TRNC by Ambassador Başçeri
Highlighting that the fight against FETO continues resolutely both domestically and internationally, Türkiye's Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri said, “I would once again like to express my gratitude to the Government of the TRNC and the brotherly Turkish Cypriot people for their solidarity with us in this struggle and for their continued support and contributions, as in every other matter."
Citing that the will of the people was put to the test in Cyprus in 1974 and in Türkiye in 2016, and that both attempts failed, Başçeri continued:
"Currently, Türkiye is an influential, responsible, and determined actor at both regional and global levels. Türkiye continues to consolidate its standing in the international system through its efforts in foreign policy, humanitarian assistance, security, technology and development. The state-nation solidarity demonstrated on 15 July has become the guarantor of Türkiye's long-term stability, independence and future.
"National Will and Democratic Resilience: The 10th Anniversary of 15 July" panel held
Moderated by Hakan Çora, the panel titled “National Will and Democratic Resilience: The 10th Anniversary of 15 July" featured academics Ali Poyraz Gürson, Enver Arpa, Murat Tüzünkan and Muharrem Özdemir as speakers.
The panel discussed the FETO-orchestrated coup attempt, the organisation's history, domestic and international developments during the events of 15 July, international responses, and the coup attempt's impact on international politics.