President Erdoğan sent a letter to TRNC President Ersin Tatar on July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.
Erdoğan congratulated the 48th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, which buried for perpetuity the attempt that had threatened the rights, law, existence and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people, the sovereign, equal and joint owner of the Island, and after which the Turkish Cypriots achieved the environment of peace and freedom, and said, “The Turkish Cypriot people, who, despite all the unlawful and inhumane limitations they have been subjected to throughout history, have always proven their commitment to peace and resolution, have shown on every occasion that they, together with their awareness of unity and solidarity as well as determination to defend their rights, have the necessary power and will which help them overcome every challenge”.
"Undoubtedly, in light of our experience of shared history, only within a framework based on the facts on the ground will it be possible to achieve a just, lasting and sustainable resolution in Cyprus," said President Erdoğan and noted:
"With this understanding, I would like to reiterate that we fully support your vision for peace presented by Your Excellency in Geneva last year and aimed at primarily acknowledging the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people, which will be followed by the discussions to be held between the two states for cooperation models. Türkiye, with the same understanding, also supports the proposals made by Your Excellency and aimed at ensuring cooperation between the two parties on the Island in a manner that will benefit the two peoples. Undoubtedly, the implementation of these proposals, as well as the achievement of resolution on the basis of the Turkish Cypriot people’s sovereign equality and equal international status, will significantly contribute to not only Cyprus but also the peace, prosperity and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean region. However, no one should ever expect motherland Türkiye to be a mere onlooker to the Turkish Cypriot people remaining a victim of the deadlock forever. Within our understanding of unshakable solidarity with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we will maintain our rightful efforts to stop this injustice and make the Turkish Cypriot people attain the prosperous future they deserve. The increasing regional and global role of Türkiye will certainly continue to be the biggest assurance of the future of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."
Emphasizing that Türkiye’s rising regional and global role will undoubtedly continue to be the greatest assurance for the future of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, President Erdoğan said: "On this occasion, I, on behalf of myself and the great Turkish nation, congratulate from the bottom of my heart the Turkish Cypriot people on July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, commemorate with grace and gratitude all our august martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in this sacred struggle, remember with respect and gratitude all our gallant ghazis, and hope that the prosperity, wellbeing and happiness of our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters will last forever".
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also issued a message on his social media account for the anniversary of the operation. In his message, President Erdoğan said, "I congratulate the 48th anniversary of our Cyprus Peace Operation, which buried for perpetuity the attempt that had threatened the rights, law, existence and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people, the sovereign, equal and joint owner of the Island. I commemorate our august martyrs with Allah’s mercy and remember our gallant ghazis with gratitude”.