Hosted by the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD), a special programme themed “The Two-State Solution Proposal and the Blue Homeland” was held at the MÜSİAD Head Office with the participation of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar, MÜSİAD President Burhan Özdemir and MÜSİAD members.

At the programme, President Ersin Tatar shared his assessments on the Cyprus issue and on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. MÜSİAD President Burhan Özdemir, for his part, drew attention to the events taking place across the island.

"History must be taught to young people as it should be"

MÜSİAD President Burhan Özdemir touched upon the historical process of the Cyprus cause and drew attention to the systematic manipulations of history practised by the Greek Cypriot side.

“Today, although it is the Greek Cypriot side that committed these massacres, it still produces a false history in order to portray the Turks as occupiers. It raises its own young people on these lies. Only a few weeks ago Greek Cypriot youths came to the border and shouted, ‘Cyprus is Greek and will remain Greek.’ Our young people, on the other hand, remained silent. Because we did not teach our own young people this history as we should have.”

 

"The two-state solution is the only way for the dignity and the security of our people"

Recalling the historical importance of the Cyprus Peace Operation and what was experienced during the Annan Plan process, Özdemir emphasized the double standards of the international community. Özdemir continued his speech as follows:

“The coup by the Greek junta on 20 July 1974 was a moment of either existence or annihilation for the Turkish Cypriot people. Türkiye launched the Peace Operation by exercising the right arising from the Treaty of Guarantee. This operation saved a people from genocide. We said ‘yes’ to the 2004 Annan Plan for the sake of a solution, even though many of its articles were against us, while the Greek Cypriots said ‘no’. The European Union rewarded the Greek Cypriots who said ‘no’ by admitting them to membership, and the promises made to us were not kept. This showed us the following: the Greek Cypriot side does not give up its insistence on a single state, and the EU does not give up its double standard. For this reason, at the point we have reached today, the two-state solution is not merely a political preference; it is the only way for the dignity and the security of our people.”

"Türkiye and the TRNC are together and determined"

TRNC President Ersin Tatar, for his part, expressed in his speech that they defend the just struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people with determination on international platforms.

“Türkiye and the TRNC will continue on their path together and with determination in protecting their rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish Cypriot people will maintain their dignified stance under all circumstances and will never compromise on independence, sovereignty and security. The guarantee of peace and stability in these lands is the implementation of a structure based on the two-state solution,” said Tatar, who continued his words as follows:

“Protecting our rights in the Eastern Mediterranean is a matter not only of today but of the future. The Blue Homeland vision is indispensable for the fair sharing of energy resources, the protection of our maritime jurisdiction areas and regional stability. As Türkiye and the TRNC, we will never take a step back from this strategy. Our responsibility towards our martyrs and our future generations is to pursue this cause with determination. By granting membership to the Greek Cypriot side, the European Union has lost its quality of being a fair mediator in the Cyprus issue. The Turkish Cypriot people have been subjected to isolation for years, and their economic and political rights have been restricted. Putting an end to these injustices is imperative in order for a genuine environment of peace to be secured between the two peoples. With Türkiye's support we will pursue our just cause and will continue to raise our voice in the international arena.”