TRNC president, Tatar reacts to desecration of TRNC flag in south Cyprus

TRNC President, Ersin Tatar has reacted strongly to the burning of the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) during demonstrations in South Cyprus this week.

“Of course, we will give the necessary response to those who burned our flags,” the president said.

According to a statement released by the Office of the President on Wednesday, President Ersin Tatar condemned the burning of TRNC flags during demonstrations in South Cyprus, stating that anti-Turkish sentiment amongst Greek Cypriot youth had once again reached peak levels.

“With the encouragement given by the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greek Cypriot Ministry of Education, Greek Cypriot youths chanted slogans ‘We will return to Girne, Güzelyurt and Maraş is ours, Cyprus is Greek and Turks out of Cyprus’, while at the same time TRNC flags were set on fire. The Greek Cypriot Administration and the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church, which brainwash their youth, injecting them with feelings of enmity towards Turks and raising them as racist, fascist and anti-Turkish, are responsible for these actions. The statements made by the Greek political parties, especially by the AKEL, DISY and DIKO, have once again revealed the unchanging Greek Cypriot mentality” the president said.

Tatar pointed out that the flag represented the honour and dignity of the Turkish Cypriot people.

“Our flags have been entrusted to us by our martyrs and represent the will of the Turkish Cypriot people who exercised their right to self-determination as a result of a struggle that has been going on since 1878,” Tatar said, adding that the necessary response will be given to those responsible.

BRTK