The invasion of Cyprus served as a stimulus for the defence industry in Turkey and a revolution has taken place in this sector in the last 20 years, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said on Sunday, referring to the events of 1974 as a “peace operation”.

He was on the island for the closing ceremony of the Teknofest event at the airport.

After the invasion, he said, it was realised in Turkey that it is only possible to reach a point with the tools and means of others.

“From then on, our history in the defence industry began. For the last 20 years, Turkey has not experienced a change, but a revolution in the field of defence. The architect of this revolution is our President, Tayyip Erdogan,” he added.

The increase in domestic production in the defence industry from 20 per cent to 80 per cent did not happen by itself, he said, but with the political will of the Turkish president.

Addressing the youth to which the festival was aimed, he added: “The defence industry is valuable not only for security but also for the wellbeing of a society. If we look at the world, in developed countries, the defence sector is expanding first in terms of new technologies”.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Yilmaz said his vision is clear.

“A two-state solution is the reality on the island. The whole world must accept this fact. Yesterday, our President expressed this very strongly from here. The two-state solution proposed by Mr Ersin Tatar is essential for us and we stand by this vision and support it with every means at our disposal. I would like to emphasise this.”

Despite the adverse weather conditions, about 150,000 visited Teknofest, Turkish Cypriot leader Tatar said.

Turkey, he continued, is now a global power and the Turkish Cypriot people are now part of a strong nation in the eastern Mediterranean. “No one should have any doubt that with these strong hands we will move forward into the future.

“We certainly attach great importance to our independence and freedom. With this perception, we are moving towards the future with definite steps.”

Teknofest was also attended by Turkey’s first astronaut Alper Gezeravji.