By Mehmet Kemal Firik and Mehmet Sah Yilmaz
LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) - The path to establishing an independent state for the Turkish Cypriots, who were subjected to ethnic cleansing and mass killings at various times from 1958 to 1974, was opened by Türkiye's 1974 Peace Operation.
For the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, here we review the establishment of the state and infrastructure for the Turkish Cypriots following the Peace Operation.
Before the operation carried out by Türkiye, Turkish Cypriots were forced to live on 3% of Cyprus, but afterwards they were able to live freely without fear of ethnic cleansing on 37% of the island, including the Turkish Cypriot capital, Lefkosa.
As a result of Turkish Cypriot efforts to establish an administration, the Autonomous Cyprus Turkish Administration Assembly, which was established in 1974, announced on Feb. 13, 1975, that the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus (TFSC) had been established by a unanimous vote.
The federated state Constitution went to as public referendum on June 8, 1975, and it was passed. The founding assembly mentioned in the Constitution was put into practice.
Although the federated state was declared a federation based on two communities, the process of establishing infrastructure and creating some institutions continued simultaneously in Northern Cyprus.
During the period leading up to the establishment of the federated state, the Turkish Cypriots experienced challenging processes such as consolidation of the state and the allocation of democratic governance.
A population exchange took place as a result of the Vienna talks between Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, and Rauf Denktas, the federated state’s prime minister. After the exchange, the north of the island became predominantly Turkish, while the south became predominantly Greek.
In order to develop the economic productivity of the Turkish Cypriots, Türkiye's support led to the establishment of Cyprus Turkish Petroleum in 1974 and the Cyprus Turkish Industry Holding Enterprises Ltd. Public Economic Enterprise (PEE) the following year.
Immediately after the Peace Operation, Cyprus Turkish Airlines, founded in 1974, started its civil aviation services and air transportation in 1975.
Ercan Airport, opened to civilian flights in 1975, and Famagusta Port, which came into the possession of the Turkish Cypriots with the operation, became Northern Cyprus’ gateways to the world.
Under the federated state, Eastern Mediterranean University was established in 1979 as a state university.
During this period, as there was no Central Bank in Northern Cyprus, banking activities were carried out through Turkish Ziraat Bank, and the use of the Turkish lira instead of the Cypriot pound became widespread.
On May 16, 1983, the federated removed the Cypriot pound from circulation and adopted the Turkish lira as the mandatory currency.
The federated state came to an end with a unanimous decision by the assembly on Nov. 15, 1983 declaring the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Having experienced the process of statehood with the federated state, the Turkish Cypriots entered the process of strengthening the foundations of state organization with the establishment of the TRNC.
The TRNC Central Bank started its services in 1984, and Girne Port was opened to international ship traffic on Nov. 16, 1987.
Under the TRNC, private higher education in the country has been promoted, and today, a total of 27 universities, institutes, and colleges, almost all of which are owned by the private sector, are operating.
To carry out maritime passenger and cargo transportation between Cyprus and Türkiye, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Maritime Company was established in the early 2000s.
To address the water shortage on the island, since 2015 water has been supplied from Türkiye through an underwater pipeline as part of the water supply project from Türkiye to TRNC.
With the support of Türkiye, a new runway and terminal building were constructed at Ercan Airport, making it the largest airport on the island.
- 'We are a part of Türkiye'
Ergun Olgun, special representative of the TRNC president, said that Turkish Cypriots see themselves a part of Türkiye.
Olgun stressed that the collapse of the Ottoman Empire left a deep impact on the Turkish Cypriots, adding that the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is essential for the Eastern Mediterranean and Blue Homeland to exist.
Olgun said the July 20, 1974 Peace Operation changed the political geography of the region and added: "After the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye, the Peace Operation stands out as the most important military and political operation carried out by Türkiye beyond the borders set by Misak-i Milli (1920 National Pact)."
"Thanks to the Cyprus Peace Operation, we are talking about today's Blue Homeland in the Eastern Mediterranean. Without July 20 (1974), we would definitely have faced the situation defined by the Seville Map," he added, referring to a map which infamously tries to confine Turkish maritime territory to a very small area.
"It was an operation that changed the political geography of this region and laid the foundation for the TRNC," he said.
Olgun said that with the operation, the possibility of the Turkish Cypriots living in a territory where they can feel safe was created through Türkiye's intervention, and he also emphasized Türkiye’s deterrent power.
He said: "The reason for the stability on Cyprus is not the UN peacekeeping force, but Türkiye's deterrent power. Türkiye has brought stability to Cyprus."
"To ensure that this is not disrupted, it is important for Türkiye's deterrent power in Cyprus to continue, and this can be achieved by continuing the (1960 Zurich and London) guarantee agreements" for the island, he said, referring to founding pacts which name Türkiye, the UK, and Greece as guarantor states for the island.
- Peace Operation was turning point
Retired Ambassador Osman Ertug said the Cyprus Peace Operation was a historic turning point for the Turkish Cypriots and added: "The operation brought peace to both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greeks."
Ertug explained that their vision for the future can be summarized as "Motherland, homeland, Blue Homeland" and continued: "This approach will carry us to the future with great pride and provide a fully developed vision for future generations. We, the Turkish Cypriots, will carry this to the future with great pride."
Ertug said the Greek side is against any vision of a solution for the island, as they have rejected all reconciliation plans for the island.
He said: "The Greek Cypriot side is against any solution, and the solution they rejected is their own solution. Because they don’t want to give up the title of the ‘Republic of Cyprus,’ which they have monopolized. In response, what did we do? We didn’t remain passive; we established our own state."
Ertug said the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has now reached the point of being recognized as a state.