Turkish Cypriots marking 35'th anniversary of peace operation

Today Turkish Cypriots are celebrating July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, which marks the 35th anniversary of Turkey's 1974 Peace Operation on the island. In a televised address marking the day yesterday, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat pledged that Turkey's security guarantees on the island will never be a bargaining chip in the TRNC's ongoing talks with the Greek Cypriots. "Turkey as a guarantor state is essential, and we are making our case on this issue very firmly in the course of the negotiations," he said. Stating that the Peace Operation will have achieved its target only when Turkish Cypriots have a secure settlement and safe conditions supported by the international community, Talat said, "What we ask for is basic human rights and the right to self-rule. We have been struggling for our rights, and our ultimate purpose is a just, lasting and confident solution for the island and to get our deserved place in the European Union recognized by international law." Talat added that peace, meaning stability, security and welfare on the island, will not be provided by others, so this must be obtained through Turkish Cypriot efforts, calling on all TRNC political parties to compromise and unite around the foreign policy and negotiation strategy determined in cooperation with Turkey. In his message marking the day, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots would never allow the return of the troubled days prior to the Peace Operation. Stating that the TRNC's economic and diplomatic position has improved remarkably in recent years, Erdogan pledged to continue joint efforts of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to further develop that position. He also expressed his belief that the TRNC would be a symbol of peace for future generations. Celebrations of the day include an official reception in Girne (Kyrenia), as well as parades and air shows around Turkish Cyprus. The Turkish military has also sent two warships to dock off Girne which will be open to public visits throughout the day. UN-brokered efforts to reunite Cyprus collapsed in 2004 when the Greek Cypriots rejected a reunification plan in a referendum. The Turkish Cypriots approved the plan in a simultaneous vote. Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Christofias launched peace talks last September aimed at finding a comprehensive solution to the division of the island. Talat has said progress had been made in the talks, although there remains a number of "difficult issues to solve."