A book titled ‘50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation’ was published by our Directorate on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.
The book, whose foreword was penned by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, consists of five chapters titled ‘Historical Background till the Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus,’ ‘Persecution by Greek Cypriots on the Island,’ ‘Cyprus Peace Operation in the Turkish Press,’ ‘Negotiations from the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation to the Present,' and ‘Two-State Solution Model.’
The book, published in Turkish and English, discusses fair and equitable solutions for the recognition and protection of the rights of Turkish Cypriots.
The book, which aims to ensure that the profound sufferings of the Turkish Cypriot community are not forgotten, includes the new vision and solution proposals of Türkiye and the TRNC for the Cyprus issue.
The emergence of the Cyprus issue, Greece's Enosis plan, the Zurich and London Agreements, and the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus are also covered in the book, as are the persecution by the Greek Cypriots on the island, the Greek Cypriot community's desire for Cyprus to be annexed to Greece, the Akritas Plan, the 1963 Bloody Christmas, the 1964 United Nations Security Council resolution, the ongoing attacks on Turkish Cypriots, and the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.
In the book, which compiles the United Nations negotiation process, high-level agreements, notes, Boutros Ghali's "Set of Ideas," the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus established in 1975, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proclaimed in 1983, the 1997 negotiation process, the Annan Plan, the EU accession of the Greek Cypriot side, and the 2004–2024 negotiation process, the two-state solution model is also discussed.
"On July 20, 1974, the entire world learned that the Turkish Cypriots were not alone"
In his foreword in the book, President Erdoğan stated that the 11-year period between the Bloody Christmas of 1963 and the 1974 Peace Operation was a difficult period of oppression and persecution for Turkish Cypriots.
Recalling that those who dreamed of Enosis for the island oppressed the Turkish Cypriots and upset peace and tranquillity, President Erdoğan stated that despite all forms of persecution by the dreamers of Enosis who did not even comply with the international treaties they signed, Turkish Cypriots demonstrated their determination to resist, and Türkiye supported the Turkish Cypriots within the framework of its rights and responsibilities under the Treaty of Guarantee.
President Erdoğan noted:
"The Turkish army brought peace, stability, democracy, and tranquillity to the island with the operation launched 50 years ago with our brothers in arms. On July 20, 1974, the entire world learned that the Turkish Cypriots were not alone. This date also symbolises the Turkish Cypriot people's equal political status and sovereignty rights. Originally slated for total extermination, the Turkish Cypriots now live under the roof of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and under their own flag in peace and security."
"A just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the realities on the island is a must"
Pointing out that despite the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side made every effort for more than half a century to resolve the Cyprus issue, no successful outcome was achieved, President Erdoğan continued:
"Despite knowing about the persecution, the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriots have never pursued revenge or refrained from reconciliation and negotiations. To ensure and maintain peace on the island of Cyprus, they have met with the parties on every international platform with open-mindedness, consistently upholding a pro-peace stance in the negotiations. Our aim has been to ensure that the peace achieved in 1974 lasts and to seek ways of living in peace.
It is impossible to reach a resolution by ignoring the presence of the TRNC and the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots. However, unfortunately, the mentality in the south of the island, which sees itself as the sole owner and sovereign of Cyprus, still maintains its existence. Türkiye, as the motherland, will always be the guarantor of the presence, welfare and security of the Turkish Cypriots. We will resolutely continue our efforts for the lifting of the inhumane and unlawful embargo against the Turkish Cypriots and for the recognition of their equal international status and equal sovereignty on the island. Through this book, published on the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, I would like to reiterate the historic call I made to the entire world from the rostrum of the United Nations General Assembly: 'Do not turn your back on the realities of the island any longer and recognise the TRNC as soon as possible.'
We call on the international community to recognise the independence of the TRNC and establish diplomatic, political, and economic relations with this country. A just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the realities on the island is of utmost importance."
President Erdoğan congratulated those who contributed to the book published for such a meaningful anniversary and commemorated the martyred Turkish soldiers and brothers in arms of the Cyprus Peace Operation with mercy and the veterans with gratitude.