November 16, 2010
Turkish Cyprus Celebrates 27th Anniversary of Independence
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) celebrated the 27th anniversary of its independence on Monday.
A military parade was held in the Turkish Cypriot capital of Lefkosa (Nicosia) as part of the ceremonies to mark the 27th anniversary of TRNC’s foundation.
Speaking at the event, President Dervis Eroglu said they were proud to celebrate independence. Also speaking, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, who represented Ankara at the celebrations, said Turkey always supported Turkish Cyprus on international arena.
Gaining independence from the UK in 1960, Cyprus became a bi-communal Republic where Greek and Turkish Cypriot constituent communities would share power guaranteed by the UK, Turkey and Greece. However, reluctant to share power and pursuing a policy of Enosis (Union) with Greece, Greek Cypriots soon expelled Turkish Cypriots from power and terrorized and ghettoized them.
Decades long armed attacks on the defenseless Turkish Cypriots culminated in 1974 when an Athens-backed Greek Cypriot military coup on the island led to Turkey’s military intervention.
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In an extraordinary meeting on November 15, 1983, Turkish Cypriot Federal Assembly unanimously voted for the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and ratified its independence statement.
Although the Republic of Cyprus as described in the 1959 agreements is no longer there, Greek Cypriots continue to enjoy this title and international recognition while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a fully democratic government representing Turkish Cypriots, still suffers under an unfair political and economic blockade.
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