A federation is not a viable solution to the Cyprus problem, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday as he attended celebrations in the north marking 50 years since 1974.
While the Republic mourned for over 3,000 dead as a result of the invasion, Erdogan attended a parade in northern Nicosia in what Turkey describes as the ‘peace operation’ which unfolded on July 20, 50 years ago.
“Turkish Cypriots do not bow to threats,” he said before the military parade began, as he addressed the contentious property issue.
The only way to resolve this is through the immovable property commission, he charged. Using any other means is plain wrong, Erdogan stressed, referring to the latest arrests linked to selling Greek Cypriot property in the north.
Turkey’s president pledged efforts would continue unhindered to have the ‘TRNC’ recognised so as to put a stop to the breakaway state’s isolated status.
Erdogan referred to the north of Cyprus “as the apple of our eye, a part of our soul”.
On July 20 in 1974, Turkey showed the world that Turkish Cypriots were not alone, he said in his speech.
For Turkish Cypriots, the years between 1963-1974 were a period marred by blood, tears and repression, in which they were imprisoned in three per cent of the island.
They suffered degrading humiliation under the hand of Eoka and eventual slaughter, Erdogan added.
“The sunrise of the morning on July 20 put an end to the 11-year darkness enveloping Turkish Cypriots.”
He charged that on the south of island “there is a problematic mentality where they see themselves as the only sovereign of the island.”
Erdogan went on to say that Greek Cypriots have made it clear they have no intention to share political power or natural resources with Turkish Cypriots.
“We believe a federal solution in Cyprus is not possible. It is of no use to anyone to say let’s pick up negotiations where they left off in Switzerland years ago.”
He said they were ready to negotiate and establish permanent peace and a solution to Cyprus but the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides “must sit at the negotiating table as equals in every way”.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said the only way forward is to have a just, permanent and sustainable solution that can benefit Cyprus and the region.
He charged the Greek Cypriot mindset wants to hold a sovereign status and have Turkish Cypriots at a disadvantage.
Tatar met Erdogan at the Tymbou (Ercan) airport, along with other officials and opposition figures at around 9:30am.
They proceeded to attend the parade which began at 10am, with an aerobatic demonstration from the Turkish air force team ‘Turkish stars’.
Erdogan then departed at 4pm.
On sea, a convoy of warships under an aircraft carrier was expected to begin its naval parade near Kyrenia at 6pm.
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