Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that Ankara considers Cyprus a national issue and will not leave Turkish Cypriots on their own, regardless of the circumstances.
His remarks came on the 43rd anniversary of the unilateral declaration, on November 15, 1983, of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” In a message on the X platform, Erdogan offered his anniversary greetings and remembered those who died on the Turkish side, while expressing gratitude to veterans.
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The Turkish president also said that Turkey’s cooperation and solidarity with Turkish Cypriots would be strengthened in every field. He stressed that Cyprus is a national issue for his country and that Turkey would not leave the island on its own, whatever happens.
To mark the anniversary, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and leaders of the Turkish Armed Forces traveled to the occupied territories of Cyprus. At ceremonies held there, they were received by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
Despite the celebrations and Ankara’s continued support, the entity declared in 1983 is recognized internationally only by Turkey. In resolutions 541 and 550, the UN Security Council declared the unilateral declaration of independence legally invalid and called on states not to recognize it.
Erdogan’s message follows his public statement a few days earlier in favor of a two-state solution for Cyprus. He has called for recognition of Turkish Cypriots’ sovereign equality and equal international status, a position at odds with efforts to reunify the island.
