TRNC President Ersin Tatar makes a statement at the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day Official Ceremony.

Here are the highlights from Tatar's speech;

We have suffered greatly from unjust embargoes. Despite rejecting the Annan Plan, the Greek Cypriot side was granted EU membership. We are resolutely promoting our vision for a solution between the two states. This structure is a model of participation based on the equal status of both sides. Despite the arrogant attitude of the Greek Cypriot leader, a common understanding has been achieved in four new areas. The Greek Cypriot administration, which has never viewed the Turkish Cypriot people as equals or accepted their sovereign equality, continues its uncompromising stance. This mindset, which rejects cooperation on matters that would benefit both peoples, has also blocked our proposals regarding the border crossings with various excuses. If the people are experiencing difficulties in crossing, the sole reason is the Greek Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot side refuses to cooperate even in the fight against drugs. We will insist on the removal of all restrictions on the island and on cooperation in water and energy, as clearly stated by our motherland Turkey. I have a few words for those who want to depend on the approval of the Greek Cypriot side for our future. Those who seek to discredit this process neither understand the realities on the island nor grasp the changing realities of international diplomacy.

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO WALK WITH OUR HOMELAND Türkiye"

The Turkish Cypriot people will continue to be on the ground as a determined and equal actor. Those who believe they can win elections by discrediting their own people and disparaging their elected officials must first recognize the disrespect they are committing to their will. We will continue to walk alongside our motherland, Turkey. We are going through a significant period where the old world order is collapsing and a new one is not being established. We see how crucial the presence of Türkiye and our Turkish soldiers is for the peace and tranquility of the TRNC and the island. We will continue to demonstrate our understanding of a two-state solution in international diplomacy.

Two weeks ago, I would like to express here that we made history in the speeches I delivered at that meeting with the presidents of all Turkic states, heads of state, Iran, Pakistan, and I, too, on your behalf, carrying the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. I want my people to know these things, to understand their importance and value, because I am happy to continue to resist all kinds of attacks aimed at disrupting our unity and solidarity by gathering discordant groups from various fronts, and to continue to announce our new policy on the right path, unwaveringly. I want to share these with my people on this important day and once again express my gratitude to my people for their trust in us. I would like to once again thank Atatürk, the leader of our Arab Republic, and his esteemed President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for their unwavering support of our country in all these international endeavors. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hakan Fidan, who has stood by us at every meeting, always standing by us.

We believe that, with the advent of a terror-free Turkey, our homeland will, God willing, assume a new role on the stage of history as one of the most important powers not only in our region but also in the world. Mr. President, My esteemed people, Esteemed guests, despite all the perception management efforts aimed at isolating the Turkish Cypriot community and imposing a so-called solution on the Greek Cypriot side, we continue to receive increasing support in our homeland, Türkiye, in every field, and we are grateful. Here is our new Republic campus. Just before these ceremonies, we witnessed the openings and groundbreaking ceremonies at the new Presidential campus. And once again, in your presence, I would like to thank Mr. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, his Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Türkiye, the Turkish government, and my nation.

The Presidential Campus, a source of pride for our state, which we jointly inaugurated on May 3rd, is a product of our vision for a solid future, a state we respect and pride ourselves on. Along with our Presidency, the Republican Assembly, and the Supreme Court, along with our mosque, library, and vast park, we commemorate the support we have given Türkiye every year for the development of its fundamental infrastructure, particularly our highways and hospitals. We are pleased to see that this support continues to grow, most recently with the 2025 Economic and Bathroom Cooperation Protocol signed by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz, and Prime Minister Ünal Usta.