"On the 51st anniversary of the peace operation in Cyprus, I remember with mercy the martyrs who gave their lives for the existential struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post, while his visit to the occupied Cyprus on the day of the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion on the island was also provocative.
HDN Newsroom
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was warmly welcomed in a grand ceremony upon his arrival in the occupied territories. His visit takes place on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which he earlier provocatively described as a "peace operation" and a "struggle for the existence of the Turkish Cypriots".
Erdogan recently concluded his presence at the foundation ceremony of a new public hospital in occupied Nicosia, as well as at the foundation ceremony of the project for the connection and access roads of the northern ring road of Nicosia. During his speech to the attendees, he reiterated his unwavering support for a "two-state solution" in Cyprus, as reported by the Turkish media.
He stressed the need for the immediate establishment of diplomatic, political and economic relations with the TRNC, stressing that "the injustice against the Turkish Cypriots must stop". Erdogan argued that Turkey is always on the side of the Turkish Cypriots, building a common political and economic future with them. He also referred to ongoing investments in infrastructure, such as road networks and the new 320-bed state hospital, stating that Turkey is doing "everything that is right for the Turks" to ensure a strong infrastructure for the TRNC in every sector.
In detail, Erdogan said: "I greet my dear guests. I celebrate TRNC Independence Day. We were together in May. We leave another mark on this earth. We have made significant progress in all the projects I described at Teknofest. Today, we stand before you with the good news for new investments.
We wrote an epic of peace together with the Turkish Cypriots. Today, on the 51st anniversary of this peace saga, we are holding opening ceremonies. With the slogan "the road is culture", we continue our efforts to strengthen the TRNC's transport infrastructure. Heavy vehicles leaving the industrial zone will no longer enter the city. Fuel savings of £77 million will be achieved, for a total of £2.177 million. Traffic congestion will be reduced, air quality will improve and Nicosia will breathe fresh air.
Today, we are also laying the foundations for the first phase of a new 320-bed state hospital. It will provide 110 intensive care beds and 80 outpatient clinics. Every opportunity for our health professionals has been considered. We have made the TRNC's largest healthcare investment. We always stand by the TRNC. God willing, we will open the hospital together. We have done what the Turks deserve. We are doing everything we can to ensure that the TRNC has a strong and confident infrastructure in every area.
We said, "We can do it. We can bring underwater water from Turkey here, and we have done it." The TRNC has launched a development initiative. We have implemented projects in areas such as transport and healthcare. Over the last two years, we have made £37 billion worth of resources available to you. I am a president who sees these projects as the foundation of a country's development. We opened the Military Hospital of Kyrenia.
Soon we will start the construction of the Pamukova State Hospital. In addition to investments in hospitals, we are nearing the completion of community health centers for the residents of our village and the countryside. We will inaugurate these projects on our next visit. We have provided significant support to strengthen the TRNC through data security efforts in the field of digitalisation. We have paved the way for faster processing. We are taking this process to the next level with fiber infrastructure initiatives. The century-long water shortage in the TRNC is over. We have made the TRNC a shining star in the Eastern Mediterranean. We are taking revolutionary steps in rural irrigation."
"Two-state solution, the injustice against the Turkish Cypriots must stop"
Erdogan concluded by sending an additional message for the next day, reiterating his position on a two-state solution: "Work continues on the establishment of the Family Support Center and the Social Services Centers. Every step we take is not just a building or a street, but a symbol of our brotherhood and our belief in a common future. We are here for the unity of the Turkish Cypriots of Northern Cyprus and we will always be here. We are in full harmony in building the political and economic future of the TRNC. With the crescent moon and the star, we declare that we are on the same path.
Our support for the vision of a two-state solution is unwavering. Diplomatic, political and economic relations with the TRNC must be established. The injustice against the Turkish Cypriots must stop. Whatever door they close to block the path of the Turkish Cypriots, we always find new doors and new roads to open."
Erdogan, in his message on the 51st anniversary of "Attila", repeated his provocative rhetoric. In a post on X, he said: "I wholeheartedly congratulate the Turkish Cypriot people on July 20, 'Day of Peace and Freedom'. On the 51st anniversary of the "Peace Operation" in Cyprus, I remember with respect our martyrs who gave their lives for the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people for existence and I express my gratitude to our heroic veterans."
Greek Cypriots around the world stood up for their rights and marched for the freedom of the occupied territories.
