Turkish president uses 40th anniversary to say 1974 invasion ‘provided freedom’ to Turkish Cypriots
The fortieth anniversary of the Turkish military intervention in Cyprus was marked with ceremonies in Cyprus, Turkey and Britain.
20 July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations were led by a ceremony in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus attended by Turkish president Abdullah Gül, along with Turkish Cypriot president Derviş Eroğlu, parliament speaker Sibel Siber and prime minister Özkan Yorgancıoğlu.
Mr Gül said during the ceremony that the Turkish intervention “provided freedom to Turkish Cypriots excluded from the country they established and shared with Greeks and let them look to the future with confidence.
“The date 20 July is a way to remember the strong will [that existed] to protect Turkish Cypriots’ ideal of equality, rights, and laws for peace and security. The support given to Turkish Cypriots to proceed toward a bright future will continue.
“Turkey has stood by you in all circumstances and will continue to do so in the future.”
Mr Eroğlu also said the Turkish mission paved the way for permanent peace on the island, describing it as saving Turkish Cypriots from “mass graves and captivity”.
He later decorated Mr Gül with a state medal during the visit for his services to the Turkish Cypriot state.