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Ruling government, opposition unite for Turkish Cyprus on 50th anniversary of Peace Operation

Ruling government, opposition unite for Turkish Cyprus on 50th anniversary of Peace Operation President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a chat with Leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel next to Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus during the 50th anniversary celebration program of the Cyprus Peace Operation, Northern Cyprus, July 20, 2024.(AA Photo)
By Newsroom
Jul 20, 2024 3:48 PM

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli attended the ceremony in Nicosia for the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation together.

A notable moment occurred when Erdogan and Ozel were seen conversing, underscoring the thaw in Turkish politics.

“Our presence here today, regardless of the government-opposition divide, demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to the Cyprus cause,” Erdogan remarked.

Ruling government, opposition unite for Turkish Cyprus on 50th anniversary of Peace Operation
LEFKOSIA, TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS – JULY 20: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – “TURKISH PRESIDENCY / MURAT KULA / HANDOUT” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (7th L), Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus (6th L), Leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel (5th L), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli (4th L), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (2nd L), Turkish Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas (L) and AK Party Group Chairman Abdullah Guler (3rd L) attend the 50th anniversary celebration program of the Cyprus Peace Operation in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 20, 2024, in Lefkosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. ( Turkish Presidency / Murat Kula – Anadolu Agency )
Ruling government, opposition unite for Turkish Cyprus on 50th anniversary of Peace Operation
LEFKOSIA, TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS – JULY 20: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – “TURKISH PRESIDENCY / MUSTAFA KAMACI / HANDOUT” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2nd L) attends during the 50th anniversary celebration program of the Cyprus Peace Operation in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 20, 2024, in Lefkosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel (R), Turkiye’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli (2nd R), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and AK Party Group Chairman Abdullah Guler (3rd R) also attending celebration program. ( TUR Presidency/Mustafa Kamaci – Anadolu Agency )

The 20 July Peace and Freedom Day celebrations, marking the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, featured a broad delegation from Türkiye.

Alongside President Erdogan, the ceremony was attended by Turkish Grand Assembly (TBMM) President Numan Kurtulmus, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, Good Party leader Musavat Dervisoglu, Great Union Party (BBP) leader Mustafa Destici, Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Onder Aksakal, among other political leaders.

“Today, just as half a century ago, we are united as one heart and one fist,” Erdogan declared in his speech.

Last Updated:  Jul 20, 2024 4:01 PM