Türkiye on Sunday reaffirmed its support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as Turkish Cypriots marked the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of independence, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledging that Ankara would never abandon the island.
Erdogan extended his heartfelt congratulations to the TRNC, paying tribute to those killed in the Turkish Cypriot struggle and expressing gratitude to veterans.
He described Cyprus as a “national cause” for Türkiye and vowed that the country would stand by Turkish Cypriots under all circumstances.
Ankara pledges continued support for Turkish Cypriot sovereignty
In a statement on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, the Foreign Ministry described the TRNC as a symbol of the Turkish Cypriot people's struggle for sovereignty and existence.
The ministry said Turkish Cypriots had never surrendered their sovereignty or freedom and would continue to live securely in their homeland under their own flag, with Türkiye as their motherland and guarantor.
The National Defence Ministry also congratulated the TRNC, pledging to stand alongside Turkish Cypriots in the future as it had in the past.
Türkiye’s Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to protecting the rights, sovereign equality and security of Turkish Cypriots.
Founding leaders and fallen fighters remembered
Turkish officials also paid tribute to late Turkish Cypriot leader Dr Fazil Kucuk and the TRNC's founding President Rauf Raif Denktas, recognising their contributions to the Turkish Cypriot cause.
They commemorated Turkish soldiers and Turkish Cypriot fighters who have been martyred during the struggle and expressed gratitude to veterans.
The TRNC declared independence on November 15, 1983.
