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Öztürkler: “Turkish Soldiers Will Stay Forever”

Published February 27, 2026, 14:08
Öztürkler: “Turkish Soldiers Will Stay Forever”

Ziya Öztürkler, “president” of the assembly of the self-proclaimed state, stated that Turkish soldiers will remain in Cyprus forever as a guarantee for the Turkish Cypriot people. He emphasized the “unbreakable ties” between Turkey and the self-proclaimed state, highlighting a common history, language, ethnicity, spirituality, and religion, citing a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan confirming the Turkish Cypriot people will not be left alone. Öztürkler defended the continuation of the Turkish military presence, emphasizing that they defended the territories from the “motherland” and the “mujahideen.” He rejected calls for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, emphasizing that their presence is not open for discussion. These statements come in a sensitive context, given the discussions about the future of Cyprus and the possible resolution of the Cyprus issue. Turkey has maintained a military presence in Cyprus since the Turkish invasion of 1974, and the withdrawal of its troops is a basic prerequisite for the resumption of substantive negotiations. Öztürkler's statement highlights the inflexible stance of Turkey and the self-proclaimed state on the issue of the presence of Turkish troops. This stance is an obstacle to achieving a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.