This statement is aimed at distorting historical facts. It is futile for a government that relentlessly massacres civilians, women, and children in Gaza on a daily basis and in violation of international law, to attempt to conceal its crimes by attacking President Erdoğan with twisted rhetoric.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a leader who stands firmly against oppression and boldly speaks the truth at the highest level, even in the face of global silence. The systematic destruction currently being inflicted on civilians in Gaza is now being classified as a crime of genocide. While the world remains silent and those in power indifferent, President Erdoğan has broken this silence and steadfastly defended justice and the rule of law. It is precisely for this reason that the Israeli administration, that is ordering the genocide, is systematically targeting the President of the Republic of Türkiye.

This same mentality is mirrored on the island by the Greek Cypriot leadership, which continues to deny the sovereignty and equality of the Turkish Cypriot people. These same forces, which continue to work for upholding the inhumane isolation, are working to silence those who speak the truth so as to obscure the human rights violations they commit.

The Turkish Cypriot people were expelled by force of arms from the partnership Republic of Cyprus in 1963, which they had co-founded three years earlier, and subjected to organised attacks and oppression for 11 years. The fascist coup d’etat by the Greek Junta on July 15, 1974, aimed to annex the entire island to Greece, whilst the entire Turkish Cypriot population faced annihilation.

In response, Motherland and Guarantor Türkiye, exercising her legitimate right as obliged by the Treaty of Guarantee, carried out the Peace Operation which eliminated the threat of genocide. The heroic Turkish Security Forces ensured the safety, survival and existence of the Turkish Cypriot people. With this operation, the borders in the Island of Cyprus were drawn up and established, and our people -- with their own free will in their own territory -- proclaimed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 42 years ago.

Any statement that ignores these historical and legal facts are an act of denial and aggression against our people, our State, and our just struggle. We do not recognise or accept any approach that targets the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people.

I strongly condemn the unnaceptable remarks directed at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish Cypriot people, and I categorically reject both the language used and the mentality behind it.

The Turkish Cypriot people will resolutely continue to stand by their State, their sovereignty, and their unbreakable ties with Motherland Türkiye.