UPDATE - Türkiye marks 39th anniversary of Northern Cypriot state

ADDS REMARKS FROM TURKISH OFFICIALS

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye on Tuesday extended congratulations to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on its anniversary, as it was founded 39 years ago.

"I congratulate the 39th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and I commemorate all our martyrs and veterans who fought for our future and independence with gratitude and mercy. Türkiye will continue to stand by the TRNC and Turkish Cypriot brothers," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter.

Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter: "We will continue to provide the strongest support for the flag of the crescent and star to fly above the lands of the TRNC forever, and to defend the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots on the field and at the (negotiating) table."

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said the TRNC was established with "faith and determination and paying great prices." He added Türkiye will always stand by the Turkish Cypriots despite all "unfair, unlawful and hypocritical policies."

Parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop on Tuesday visited the TRNC to attend a ceremony held at the Lefkosa Ataturk Monument and laid a wreath at the monument.

"It should be well known that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be recognized sooner or later, and the Turkish Cypriot people will have a prosperous future. Peace of mind, homeland Türkiye will always stand by you," he said.

Sentop later met with TRNC's President Ersin Tatar in a show of solidarity from Türkiye.

Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter: "I commemorate our martyrs and heroic veterans with gratitude."

Also marking the anniversary, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Twitter that Türkiye always stands with the TRNC in its righteous struggle.

"We celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which 39 years ago trumpeted to the whole world that it is an independent state, and congratulate our Turkish Cypriot brothers on their Republic Day. Türkiye will always continue to stand by its brothers in their just struggles," the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

- Regional bloc

The secretary general of the Organization of Turkic States also extended sincere congratulations to the TRNC, which last week at a summit was given observer status within the group.

“At our Samarkand (Uzbekistan) Summit, the year 2023 was declared the Year of the Rise of Turkic Civilization," said Kubanychbek Omuraliev in a statement.

Speaking on behalf of the Organization of Turkic States, he added: “I would like to emphasize that, during this meaningful period for the Turkic World, we will continue to work with our Member and Observer States for peace, stability and development both in our region and beyond in 2023.”

The TRNC was established on Nov. 15, 1983, almost a decade after Türkiye’s Cyprus Peace Operation on the island, which stopped persecution and violence against Turkish Cypriots by ultra-nationalist Greek Cypriots.

Türkiye is a guarantor country for the TRNC.