42nd Anniversary of the TRNC celebrated

As part of the commemorations marking the 42nd Anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), an official parade was held on Saturday at the Dr. Fazıl Küçük Boulevard in Lefkoşa.

President Tufan Erhürman delivered a speech at the ceremony to commemorate the 42nd Anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The address by the President reads as follows:

“Distinguished guests, esteemed citizens,

On the auspicious occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, I wish to convey my most sincere greetings and profound respect to each and every one of you.

For decades, the Turkish Cypriot people have shown unwavering perseverance in their efforts to safeguard their existence, preserve their identity, and uphold their rights on this island. Previous generations faced circumstances significantly more challenging than those encountered today, and in doing so, they paid immeasurable prices. The sacrifices made by those who came before us continue to illuminate our path and strengthen our determination to leave future generations a country in which they can sustain our existence under far better conditions than those we enjoy today.

It is our solemn duty to preserve, strengthen, and pass on the legacy entrusted to us. Fulfilling this duty means safeguarding and reinforcing our existence and identity, taking deeper root in this land with each passing day, and creating the conditions in which our children will live a modern life worthy of human dignity-enjoying the rights and opportunities afforded to children in developed countries, and able to engage with the wider world.

Equality, freedom, the rule of law, democracy, prosperity, security, and peace are not privileges, but the inherent rights of all people, including the Turkish Cypriot people. These fundamental principles form the foundation upon which we build our society and envision our future. In recognition of these universal rights, whilst remaining steadfast in our commitment to passing the necessary reforms and regulations in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and ensuring that our people are fully connected with the wider world and integrated within the framework of international law, we also continue with determination to achieve sustainable stability and peace, not only on this island but throughout the region. Our resolve in this goal is unwavering, as we believe that a peaceful and secure environment is essential for the prosperity and well-being of all.

Some attempt to portray the establishment and existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as evidence that the Turkish Cypriot people have abandoned their quest for a settlement or turned their backs to the world. However, the Declaration of Independence dated 15 November 1983, encapsulates the genuine aspirations and determination of the Turkish Cypriots, serving as an important testament to all those willing to accept the reality.

Paragraph 22 of the Declaration opens with these words: “On this historic day, once again, we extend our hand of peace and friendship to the Greek Cypriot people.”

The same paragraph continues: “We believe that it is possible and necessary for the two peoples, who are destined to live side by side on the same island, to resolve all their problems through negotiations on an equal footing, and to reach a peaceful, just and lasting settlement.’’

The Turkish Cypriot people have never rejected a negotiated settlement in any of the negotiation processes between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides — neither on 15 November 1983 nor at any time since. On the contrary, their “yes” vote in the 2004 referenda and highly constructive stance at Crans-Montana in 2017 together with the Republic of Türkiye, demonstrated to the international community their consistent and unwavering commitment to a just and lasting solution.

The Greek Cypriot Leaderships of the respective periods however did not demonstrate the same will, and a settlement could not be reached. The Turkish Cypriot side has never been — and will never be — the party to walk away from the negotiation table.

It is important to distinguish between maintaining a presence at the negotiation table and accepting to be imprisoned by it.

The Turkish Cypriot people want a lasting solution which will serve stability and peace on the island and in the region, not endless negotiations or negotiations which are certain to end in failure from the outset.

It is common knowledge that there have been no negotiations to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem for quite some time, however the absence of formal negotiations has not stopped serious and alarming developments occurring on the island and in the region. During this period, the region has faced serious and troubling developments; irresponsible steps have been taken by the south regarding armament and military cooperations, and the Turkish Cypriot people have been systematically disregarded and excluded from discussions on numerous issues affecting both the island and the broader region.

The world must recognise that the Turkish Cypriot people are one of the two equal founding partners of this island, endowed with sovereign rights fully equal to those of the Greek Cypriot people. We will never permit those sovereign and equal rights to be violated, ignored, or diminished in any way.

On issues that stand amongst the most important in international relations today—such as security, energy, maritime jurisdiction, hydrocarbons, and trade routes—it is unacceptable for decisions to be made without the will of the Turkish Cypriot people.

These areas are shared jurisdictions on this island. We have no interest in the rights and interest of the Greek Cypriot people. However, it should be understood that we will never tolerate the violation of the rights and interests of our own people. As always, The Turkish Cypriot people, as they did in the past, do not demand more than what is rightfully theirs; they do not covet anyone else’s rights, and will never accept anything less than their rights.

The path to resolving this issue lies, of course, in dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation. However, when discussing the prospect of a comprehensive settlement, there is a point that must be emphasised: Since it is not possible to reach an outcome by following the same path, it is necessary to learn from our experiences and change our methods.

The Turkish Cypriot people will not accept any process in which their political equality is treated as a matter for bargaining or compromise, in which no defined timeframe exists, in which convergences reached and confirmed over decades of negotiations are set aside, and in which, if the Greek Cypriot leadership once again adopts a rejectionist stance after a prolonged process — as was most clearly demonstrated in the Annan Plan referenda — we are expected simply to revert to the current status quo as though nothing had happened.

These are not “preconditions,” as some have attempted to portray. They are integral elements of a credible settlement methodology proposed by a people who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to a solution, yet who have still not seen that solution materialise. If there is genuine sincerity in the pursuit of a settlement, these realities must be recognised and accepted.

I reiterate: the Turkish Cypriot people have never been — nor will they ever be — the side that walks away from the table. Until the conditions are ripe for a comprehensive negotiation process, there remain numerous issues that require dialogue, and there is a table at which those issues can, and must, be addressed.

If there is a results-oriented negotiation table for a comprehensive settlement, we shall be there. If that table has not yet been formed, we will be at the table that seeks practical cooperation, confidence-building, and measures to improve the daily lives of both peoples, to cultivate an atmosphere conducive to a settlement, and to produce cooperative solutions that will contribute to a future agreement in line with the win-win principle.

There is indeed a world beyond the negotiation table, and the Turkish Cypriot people have the same right as any other people to engage with it. As in the past, we will continue to defend the rights and interests of our people, with the support of the diplomatic avenues facilitated by the Republic of Türkiye. This includes our participation as an observer member in the Organisation of Turkic States, our engagement within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organisation, and our presence on every platform we can access — including the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the United Nations — where discussions continue under a framework in which we hold equal status with the Greek Cypriot leadership.

Nobody should expect us to accept, or find it just, that the Turkish Cypriots — who possess the will for a solution and who have demonstrated this will repeatedly — should continue paying the price of non-settlement.

We will not accept as destiny that our youth are barred from international sports competitions, that our academics, artists and businesspeople face obstacles in meeting the world, that our economic development is impeded by constant restrictions, or that our children face discrimination on the basis of their parents’ or their own birthplace simply because a settlement has not been reached.

Injustice against any child anywhere in the world deeply saddens me and my people, including when it affects a Greek Cypriot child. If a Greek Cypriot child’s rights were restricted due to inequality, discrimination or limited opportunities, this would sadden us. My question to the international community and to the Greek Cypriot Leadership is this: when a Turkish Cypriot child faces these injustices, does it sadden you? If your honest answer is “yes,” this may be a hopeful beginning. If the answer is “no,” or “it does not concern me,” or worse, if there is no hesitation in letting children bear the cost, then we must recognise that we are still far from a genuine starting point. And in that case, let it be known clearly: we will not leave the rights of our children to anyone’s mercy, nor allow them to be impeached.

The Turkish Cypriot people are calm, patient and resolute. We existed under the most difficult conditions in the past, we exist today and we shall continue to exist tomorrow. Nobody can ignore us, erase us or prevent us from embracing the world.

In this challenging struggle, our greatest assurance is the knowledge that the Republic of Türkiye — the guarantor of the entire island — stands with us today, as it did yesterday, and will continue to stand with us unconditionally in the future, guided by our unbreakable bonds of brotherhood.

At this point, I would like to express once again my heartfelt gratitude for the gracious hospitality extended to me during my recent visit to Türkiye—my first official visit abroad since assuming office, in keeping with state tradition—by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş, and also by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, who are both honouring us with their presence here today.

Our challenges extend beyond the Cyprus issue and international affairs. The Turkish Cypriot people also face significant internal difficulties, and we must work together diligently to address them. It is essential to understand our population and implement a coherent population policy. At the same time, we must develop a robust immigration strategy and take urgent steps to ensure our country remains a safe and secure environment.

We must act swiftly to address the infrastructural and systemic shortcomings in our health system. In education, issues such as prefabricated classrooms, the integration of children whose mother tongue is not Turkish, the unmet needs of children with special requirements, and a higher education sector lacking in quality orientation must be addressed through structured and timely measures. Brain drain has exceeded acceptable limits. Programmes, packages and policies that prevent outflow and encourage reverse migration must be implemented without delay.

The equality, fraternity and unity of our citizens are fundamental. Racism and discrimination have no place in our country. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, religion, language, gender, birthplace or anything similar. Every child in this country is our child, and a single tear shed by any one of them due to obstacles in accessing healthcare or education, or due to discrimination, pierces the heart of our people.

The decline in purchasing power — particularly among our low-income citizens — the high cost of living, and the reality that the south has become more affordable than the north in many respects are our concerns. The fact that our producers are on the verge of abandoning production is our concern. In a country that seeks to grow through tourism and higher education, the environment is one of our greatest responsibilities. In all these areas, we are obliged to work collectively and deliver concrete results swiftly.

Our people are bound to this beautiful island with love and devotion. No one born here or living here wishes to emigrate. It is our duty — those entrusted with governing this country — to transform this island into a place where our people live safely, peacefully, happily and in dignity. To achieve this, with our educated human resources—our greatest wealth—and with teams selected on the basis of merit, we must work with seriousness, discipline and unity, day and night.

This is the duty we owe both to our elders, who fought for our existence under the harshest conditions — and to our youth and children, to whom we will entrust this land. The essence of being a people, not merely a community, is the ability to bring the “I” into the “we,” to preserve individuality whilst achieving unity. Diversity of thought is our strength and a hallmark of the democracy we have time and again proven to uphold. Freedom of thought and the deep tolerance of our people are values we must cherish and protect. And alongside these stand two enduring loves that unite us, that make us who we are, and that will never divide us: our love for our children and our love for this land.

Our conviction is clear: we have always existed on this land, we are here today, and we shall continue to exist in far better conditions in the future.

I commemorate with respect and gratitude the leaders of our struggle for existence, Dr. Fazıl Küçük and Rauf Raif Denktaş, our revered martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this land and for our children, and all who took part in this struggle and are no longer with us. I extend my thanks to our veterans and wish them a healthy and long life.

I wholeheartedly celebrate your Republic Day and embrace you all with respect and affection.”