ISTANBUL, July 20. /TASS/. The solution of the Cyprus problem is possible only by recognizing the fact of the existence of two states on the divided island. This was stated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), where celebrations are taking place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the landing of the Turkish army in Northern Cyprus, which Ankara calls a “peacekeeping operation”.< /p>
„We do not believe in solving the Cyprus problem on a federal basis. We are ready to negotiate and achieve lasting peace. A sustainable solution to the problem is only possible on the basis of the recognition of two states, this is inevitable and we will resolutely make efforts in this direction”, Erdogan said.
"Those who think they will achieve their goals by putting pressure on the Turkish Cypriots are wrong. Neither we nor they will give in to threats. Our efforts to break the isolation and lift the embargo on Northern Cyprus will increase”, the Turkish president said.
The leader of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, for his part, accused the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus of taking steps aimed at increasing tensions rather than peace on the island. He also expressed support for Turkey to express the interests of the SCTR on any international platform. “You have become our voice at the UN, where the rights of Turkish Cypriots are violated and they are not represented there,” said Tatar.
Almost all representatives of the Turkish leadership, leading political parties and the command of the armed forces of the republic participated in the events. As part of the celebrations, a naval parade with the participation of 50 naval ships and performances by aerobatic teams of the Turkish Air Force are planned.
Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since the armed invasion of Turkey in 1974, provoked by a coup d'état by supporters of the island's annexation to Greece. As a result of the hostilities, about 37% of the territory of Cyprus was under Turkish control, on which in 1983 the TRNC was established, recognized in the world community only by Ankara. The southern part of the island remained under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, populated mainly by Greek Cypriots.