Honorary doctorate to the President of the TRNC, Tatar

The honorary doctorate was awarded to the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar, who attended the event titled “The Stamp of Cyprus Turkishness: The Cyprus Peace Operation” held in Istanbul for his leadership qualities contributing to the Turkish Cypriot community, his outstanding services in international diplomacy, and his contributions to the establishment of strong relations between the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

An event titled “The Stamp of Cyprus Turkishness: The Cyprus Peace Operation” was organized at Istanbul Topkapı University on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. The event was attended by the President of the TRNC Ersin Tatar and his wife Sibel Tatar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Topkapı University Nihat Kırmızı, and Rector Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin, as well as Istanbul Deputy Governor Hasan Hüseyin Can, Zeytinburnu District Governor Adem Uslu, Zeytinburnu Mayor Ömer Arısoy, Retired Rear Admiral Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cihat Yaycı, Turkish Women Academicians Union TRNC Representative Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen, President of the Association of Women Academicians and Umay Ana Turkish World Women’s Union Prof. Dr. Mualla Uydu Yücel and many academics and press members.

Honorary doctorate awarded to President Tatar

Nihat Kırmızı, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Topkapı University and Rector Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin awarded the honorary doctorate to the President of the TRNC Ersin Tatar for his “leadership qualities contributing to the Turkish Cypriot community, outstanding services in international diplomacy, and contributions to the establishment of strong relations between the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”

“We defend the rights of not only the TRNC but also the Republic of Turkey at every table”

In his speech at the program, TRNC President Tatar emphasized the importance of the struggle to carry out the rightful cause of the Turkish Cypriot people, stating, “For centuries, we want to crown this struggle with the support of Anatolia. Our key word is ‘sovereignty’.” Tatar pointed out the strategic importance of the British bases in Limassol and Larnaca with their ports opening to the Eastern Mediterranean and stated that the developments in Gaza demonstrated the critical role of the British bases in Cyprus.

Emphasizing that the British bases are not discussed in the European Union, Tatar said, “England has left the EU; nobody asked what these bases are doing here. The Turkish Cypriot people are still not a sovereign people. We want a two-state solution.” Tatar drew attention to the strategic importance of the TRNC, stating, “Now there is a blue homeland; Turkey and the TRNC have rights. We are in a difficult struggle and want to walk this path with our faith, patriotism, and nationalism.” He stated that he has protected the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and the Republic of Turkey at all negotiation tables until today, saying, “The issue is national, it is sensitive; it is the matter of the nation. I am happy to walk this path together.”

Istanbul Deputy Governor Hasan Hüseyin Can: “Knowing the history of the TRNC is of great importance”

In his speech, Istanbul Deputy Governor Hasan Hüseyin Can talked about the history of Cyprus and emphasized the importance of knowing the history of the TRNC, referring to the Cyprus Peace Operation. Can stated that the Republic of Turkey took significant steps after the Peace Operation, and accepted the Annan Plan in 2004. However, he emphasized that the other side refused to accept a bi-communal administration, stating, “At this stage, the TRNC has formed as an independent state. Under the leadership of our President Ersin Tatar, we are working to ensure that the TRNC is recognized by other countries and becomes a member of the United Nations. We believe in this.”

Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin: “There are those who want to make us forget the past”

Prof. Dr. Emre Alkin, the Rector of Istanbul Topkapı University, emphasized the strong ties between Turkey and the TRNC. Alkin stated, “Mr. President, as Atatürk said, ‘you have accomplished a lot in a short time.’ Therefore, I thank you very much for strengthening the bonds between the two countries. Nobody remembers what happened in the past 50 years. There are those who try to judge the struggle of those days with the conditions of today. Just as there are those who want to make us forget the epic of the War of Independence, there are also those who want to forget how the TRNC was established.” He announced the upcoming book from Istanbul Topkapı University’s publications, which details the national struggle of the Turkish Cypriots written by TRNC President Ersin Tatar.