Erhürman at the Erenköy Ceremony: 62 Years of Resistance

A ceremony marking the 62nd anniversary of the Erenköy Resistance was held in Erenköy. Participants included TRNC President Tufan Erhürman, Parliament Speaker Ziya Öztürkler, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, former presidents Mehmet Ali Talat and Ersin Tatar, representatives of Türkiye, military leadership, relatives of those who died and local residents.

The ceremony began with the laying of wreaths at the monument, a minute of silence and a salute. Following the national anthem, participants laid flowers at the graves of those who died and recited a prayer.

Erhürman noted that the Erenköy Resistance became one of the most significant stages in the Turkish Cypriot struggle for their existence, freedom and dignity.

He stressed that many of the resistance participants were very young people who gave up their personal interests for the future of their people. According to the president, despite their political and ideological differences, they were united by a common goal.

Erhürman also recalled the «bereketçis» — people who, in small boats and at great risk to their lives, transported ammunition to Erenköy and supported the resistance. He separately mentioned Turkish pilot Captain Cengiz Topel, who died during the events in Erenköy.

The president stated that the duty owed to those who died and to veterans is to preserve the values for which they fought.

«Our task is to leave our children a country that is more beautiful, safer, fairer and more peaceful,» — Erhürman said.

He stressed that the future of children must become a shared responsibility of society regardless of political views, and that the main goal must be to prevent new wars, conflicts and suffering.

Erhürman concluded his speech by saying that Turkish Cypriots were, are and will remain on this island, and paid tribute to the memory of those who died in the Erenköy Resistance and all those who fell in the struggle for the existence of Turkish Cypriots.