The Turkish president referred to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as "our friend and brother," emphasizing its vital role in fostering peace, justice, and stability in the Mediterranean region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has marked the 41st anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) with heartfelt congratulations, emphasizing the enduring and close ties between Türkiye and the TRNC.

In a statement celebrating this significant milestone, Erdogan referred to the TRNC as "our friend and brother" and underscored its crucial role in promoting peace, justice, and stability in the Mediterranean region. He expressed his well-wishes, saying, "I extend my congratulations on the 41st anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the guarantor of peace, justice, and tranquility in the Mediterranean."

Additionally, the president paid tribute to those who made sacrifices for the independence and stability of the TRNC. He honored the memory of fallen heroes and expressed deep gratitude to those who have served the cause of the Turkish Cypriots. "We remember our heroic martyrs with mercy and our veterans with respect," Erdogan stated, further extending warm regards to the Turkish Cypriot people.

Erdogan's remarks underscored Türkiye’s steadfast and unwavering support for the TRNC in its ongoing struggle for international recognition and its pursuit of equality and fairness on the island of Cyprus. His message reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to assisting the TRNC in its efforts to ensure its sovereignty, despite the island's longstanding division.

The anniversary celebrations are taking place amid increased tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the TRNC continues to advocate for its sovereignty and a fair distribution of resources. Erdogan’s statement reaffirmed Türkiye’s dedication to standing alongside the TRNC in these efforts, reinforcing the shared bonds of solidarity and a common future between the two nations.

The island of Cyprus has been a site of deep division between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities for decades, despite numerous diplomatic attempts to resolve the issue. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the early 1960s, when ethnic violence forced Turkish Cypriots to retreat into enclaves for their safety.

In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup, aimed at uniting the island with Greece, prompted Türkiye to intervene militarily as a guarantor power. This intervention sought to protect the Turkish Cypriot population from further violence and persecution.

As a result of this military intervention, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was established in 1983. However, it remains unrecognized by much of the international community. In 2004, despite rejecting a United Nations-backed plan to resolve the island’s division, the Greek Cypriot administration joined the European Union.