The henna lambs of July 20

Exactly 47 years ago, the late Ecevit said, "We are going to bring peace to Cyprus not only for the Turks but also for the Greeks." The statement was both a requirement of Atatürk's principle of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World" and an indication that the rights, lives and properties of our compatriots would be protected.

The Happy Peace Operation on 20 July 1974, whose 47th anniversary we celebrate today, may not have been able to provide a permanent solution on the island, but at least since then, it has brought peace and freedom to all communities living in Cyprus, with the exception of isolated incidents. The value of this peace and freedom should be well understood by the Turks, who have equal status despite being a minority on the island, as well as the British, the Maronites, and the Greeks, who are in an equal position according to the constitution, although they are the majority in population.

The Greek side must now see that it is not possible to reach a solution by ignoring the Turks and not seeing them as equal, that the conflict harms not only the Turkish side, but also all the Cypriot people, including the Greeks, that the continuation of this conflict leads to the formation of two equal and sovereign separate states on the island.

Turkish Cypriots suffered the most from the social conflict that took place before 1974, but the benefit of peace spread to every society.

Those who have lived through war know the value of peace. As a result, the peace operation, in accordance with its name and Ecevit's foresight, ensured peace and freedom in Cyprus. Of course, the continuation of this first step of peace, that is, the leadership of the establishment of a new security and cooperation organization, can of course be Turkey, the brother of the region, its historical patron and the rising power of the world.

Of course, it is not easy to achieve peace and cooperation in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean geography, where communities that eat each other and are set against each other by saying that "you are like this or you are like that" by the great powers. But it should be considered, evaluated and implemented.

Just as there is OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), there should be OSCIME (Organization for Security and Cooperation in the Middle East), or OGİT (Organization for Security and Cooperation in the Middle East). This is only possible with relations to be developed with the countries of the region, fair and equitable resource sharing and increased dialogue.

In this process, in which we live in a multipolar world order, Turkey can increase its influence in its region not only with military and political demonstrations of power, initiatives, construction of buildings and facilities, but also with such peaceful policies. Instead of ethnic, religious, sectarian and administrative unions and/or separations; It is in the interest of all countries in the region, including Turkey, to implement policies focused on common interests, peace, mutual good relations and mutual gains.

Policies focused on "peace at home and in the world" will not only provide an environment of peace that not only Turkey but also all countries in the region expect and miss, they will also curb the imperialist ideas of the great powers playing for their own interests in the region.

2021 will take its place in Turkish Cypriot history as a special year in which both religious and national holidays are celebrated at the same time and the future of Cyprus begins to take shape more clearly.

I commemorate with gratitude and gratitude all our martyrs and veterans, all our martyrs and veterans, who are the architects of peace and sacrificed themselves for the country, and all our politicians who are rational, patriotic and honest, who work and give wisdom for the benefit of our country and society.

Happy Eid, Peace and Freedom Day.