Resolution in Cyprus; ODAGIT (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean)

Exactly 49 years ago, the late Bülent Ecevit, the then Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, said, "We are going to Cyprus to bring peace not only for the Turks but also for the Greeks." This 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.

And it happened as Ecevit said. The Happy Peace Operation of 20 July 1974, the 49th anniversary of which we celebrate today, may not have provided a permanent solution on the island as a result, but at least since then, except for isolated incidents, it has brought peace and freedom to all communities living in Cyprus. The value of this peace and freedom should now be realised by the Turks, who have equal status despite being a minority in terms of population, as well as the British, Maronites and Greeks, who have equal status in accordance with the constitution, despite being the majority in terms of population. The Ukraine-Russia war has once again shown the whole world how precious it is to be able to live in peace. 

It is obvious that it will not be possible to reach a solution by ignoring the Turks and not seeing them as equals, that intransigence harms not only the Turkish side but also the entire people of Cyprus, including the Greeks, and that the continuation of this intransigence may pose a problem for the security of the island.

In the pre-1974 social strife, the Turkish Cypriots suffered the most, but the benefits of peace have spread to every community.

Those who lived through the war know the value of peace.

In the end, the peace operation, in accordance with its name and Ecevit's vision, brought peace and freedom in Cyprus.

The continuation of this first step of peace should be continued by all components of the Cypriot people under the leadership of Turkey. Considering the changing world order, in order for the island of Cyprus to become an island of peace, freedom and prosperity, two equal and sovereign states should be recognised by the whole world, and the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Republics should become NATO and EU members together. With Turkey becoming a member of the EU, the Eastern Mediterranean will be strengthened in security, economic and political terms. With this solution proposal, in which all components will win, the security concerns constantly voiced by the Greek Cypriot side will disappear, while the Turkish side will gain economic and political freedom.

Following this development, the establishment of a new security and cooperation organisation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East should be led by Turkey, the big brother of the region, the historical protector and the rising power of the world.

Of course, it may not be so easy to ensure peace and co-operation in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean geography, where communities live who are eating each other, who are pitted against each other by the great powers by saying, "You are like this, you are like that".

However, it should be considered, evaluated and implemented.

Just as there is OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe), in other words OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe), 

OSCIMEM (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean) should also be established.

This is only possible through improved relations with the countries in the region, fair and equitable resource sharing and increased dialogue.

In the changing balances after Russia's aggression in Ukraine and in a world order that has evolved from multipolarity to bipolarity, Turkey can increase its effectiveness in the region not only through military and political displays of power, but also through such peaceful policies. It is in the interest of all countries in the region, including Turkey, to implement policies centred on common interests, peace, mutual good relations and mutual gains instead of ethnic, religious, sectarian and administrative unity and solidarity and/or separation.

Policies centred on "peace at home and peace in the world", which is one of the genius determinations of the founding philosophy, will not only provide a peaceful environment that not only Turkey but also all the countries in the region expect and long for, but will also put a brake on the imperialist thoughts of the great powers that are playing horses in the region for their own interests.

I commemorate with gratitude and appreciation all our martyrs and veterans, our mujahideen, all our rational, patriotic and honest politicians, who are the architects of today's peaceful environment on the island of Cyprus and who sacrificed themselves for the homeland, and all our rational, patriotic and honest politicians who labour and produce policies for the benefit of their countries and societies. 

Happy peace and freedom holiday.