Turkish Cypriots commemorate with Gods compassion and gratitude their martyrs and veterans, on the 42nd anniversary of the 21 December 1963, which was the most important turning point in their struggle for existence and independence.

The Turkish Cypriot people are solemnly remembering the brutal and merciless attacks launched on them by the Greek Cypriots on Christmas Eve, 1963, with the aim of Hellenizing Cyprus and ultimately uniting it with Greece (achieving Enosis). In line with the notorious Akritas plan, the Greek Cypriots staged in December 1963, a cold blooded and ruthless attack to exterminate all Turkish Cypriots, the other co-owner of the Cyprus Republic. These atrocities resulted in the collapse of the 1960 Republic of Cyprus and led to its forceful occupation by its Greek Cypriot partner. How could the Turkish Cypriots forget those dark days when hundreds of innocent Turkish Cypriots had then been murdered, maimed, gone missing or become refugees in their homeland? Could the world or the Greek Cypriots erase this blood-stained part of history?

The Turkish Cypriot people have given an unprecedented struggle for survival and in spite of all the threats and pressure, confronted the world and established their own state. It is because of this great sacrifice that we can never forget our martyrs and veterans who paved the way for us to reach these current peaceful days.

However, the struggle has not yet ended for the Turkish Cypriots. The 42- years long unjust embargoes imposed on us by the Greek Cypriots are still continuing and making life for the Turkish Cypriots more difficult. It is high time that these unjust embargoes were lifted and the Turkish Cypriot people treated as equals of the Greek Cypriots. Certainly, the international community, which closed its eyes to the realities in the recent history of Cyprus, has responsibilities to correct this unjust situation.