On the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the 20 July Peace Operation, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel issued a written statement addressing recent actions targeting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Turkish Cypriot people at border areas and crossing points.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel urged the Greek Cypriot side to adopt a realistic and level-headed approach, underlining that peace has prevailed
on the island for over half a century and emphasized that what is now required is to crown that peace with a permanent and viable solution.
“We marked Peace and Freedom Day in a way that truly reflects its significance. Regardless of the circumstances, we aim to move forward constructively and realistically, rather than remain fixated on the past. Together with motherland Türkiye, we regard a two-state solution as the most viable and realistic path forward” said Üstel.
“However, even if a formal agreement cannot be reached, we are committed to building good neighborly relations with the Greek Cypriots through high-level cooperation” he added.
“This requires, first and foremost, abandoning hostility and, in particular, not indoctrinating younger generations with hatred,” he said while highlighted that the principle of “Peace at home, peace in the world” laid out by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk remains fundamental to the Turkish Cypriots vision.
He reflected that if Türkiye had not intervened following the fascist coup of 15 July 1974, thousands of Greek Cypriots—especially those targeted by the coup—would have been massacred, and the Turkish Cypriot community would have followed.
“Peace has reigned on the island since then. What is needed now is to reinforce this peace with a lasting and sustainable solution.
Despite the difficulties of the period between 1963 and 1974, the Turkish Cypriots managed to stand firm. Today, while we continue to face some challenges due to the unresolved situation, we are moving forward with confidence, firmly committed to our state,” he said.
Expressing concern over recent provocations Üstel said “If the Greek Cypriot leadership believes it can test our patience and resilience through deliberate inaction and ongoing deadlock, they are gravely mistaken”.
“On the 51st anniversary of the Peace Operation, we observed, with serious concern, the provocative actions at our borders and crossing points targeting our state and our people,” he said.
Drawing attention to the profile of the demonstrators Üstel said, “Nearly all the protestors were young Greek Cypriots born after 1974, many even after 2000—individuals who have never witnessed war. That these young people are being raised with deeply rooted animosity toward Turkish Cypriots poses a grave threat to peace on the island.”
“Greek Cypriot youth are being ideologically poisoned in schools, far removed from universal human values. While their leadership frequently expresses a desire to return to the negotiating table and discuss confidence-building measures, the first step must be ending the indoctrination of children with hostility.
In our schools, we do not raise our children with enmity. Even foreign observers acknowledge that Turkish Cypriots are generally more peaceful than their Greek Cypriot counterparts.
I call on the Greek Cypriot administration to free its education system from the influence of the church and adopt a more peace-oriented curriculum. Let it be remembered—peace is the greatest guarantee for all humanity,” concluded Üstel.