A Gold Medal was awarded to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel for the donation made to the Charity campaign initiated to support the Turkish Armed Forces by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation.

It was announced that due to the donation made by the Günsel Family to the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, the Deputy General Manager of the Foundation Sadık Piyade visited the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel and presented the gold medal to him

Our ties of affection have been crowned with the support provided
Expressing feelings and thoughts during the visit, Deputy General Manager of the Foundation Sadık Piyade expressed that the significant donations made were a symbol of 45 years of solidarity between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkey. Deputy General thanked Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel heartily for crowning their ties of affection.

Furthermore, Sadık Piyade expressed that the fate of the Turkish Cypriots changed with the 20th July 1974 Peace Operation and the developments in the aftermath changed the fate of the Turkish Defence Industry. He said: “As a result of the embargoes implemented after the Cyprus Peace Operation, the state has developed its own support by developing and producing defence systems and products domestically; without waiting for anything in return. This has led the establishment of many companies leading the defence industry such as Aselsan, Tusaş, Roketsan, Havelsan, Isbir and Aspilsan. Our foundation has been established to increase the power of the Turkish Armed Forces and support its projects and the contributions made by our brothers in Northern

Cyprus is a true indication of the strength of our ties of affection. By making investments in the fields of education, health, R& D, innovation and art, the Günsel family gives great support and direction to the development of the national economy. We would like to express great gratitude to this family for making a significant donation to our Foundation as well.”

Deputy General Manager of the Foundation Sadık Piyade pointed out that during the period of active duty he was the Company Commander and 39th Division Commander in Cyprus and added that therefore, he had a great bond of affection with the people of Cyprus Furthermore, he emphasised how pleased he was that this bond of affection was further crowned with donations made. He also stated that since the date of establishment of the Turkish armed Forces Foundation, many donations have been made very penny donated contributes to the development of defence industry and the strength of the Armed Forces.

Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel: “We have a strong bond with the noble Turkish nation”
Making a statement, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel expressed that making a contribution to increase the defence force of the Turkish Armed Forces and to develop the defence industry was a matter of fidelity in relation to the bond of affection felt to the mainland Turkey. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Günsel stated that a special bond was present between the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Nation, and Turkish Armed Forces; based on the support provided to the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle of existence on the island. He assured that they were always ready to provide material and moral support to the strengthening of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Subsequent to the statements made, Deputy General Manager of the Foundation Sadık Piyade presented a gold medal to Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel due to the donation they made to the Foundation.

The donations were delivered to the TR Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri and Major General Sezai Öztürk
The donations made by the Günsel family to the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation were delivered to TR Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri and Commander of Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Major General Sezai Öztürk by Founding Rector of University of Kyrenia Dr. Cemre S. Günsel Haskasap and Vice Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ

Thanks to the Peace Operation, we are free and we breathe freely in this geography
As the donations were being delivered, Vice Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ expressed that as the Turkish Cypriot community, they were always by Turkey’s side and that Turkish Cypriots knew how important peace operations were. He said that right now, we could breathe freely, produce science and art, this was all due to the Cyprus Turkish Peace Operation.