An event was held on Monday evening at the Turkish Embassy in Lefkoşa, in commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the passing of Türkiye’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fatin Rüştü Zorlu.
The event was attended by President Ersin Tatar, the Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Bertan Özerdağ, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Yasin Ekrem Serim, the President of the Turkish Constitutional Court Kadir Özkaya, Head of TRNC Department of Religious Affairs Ahmet Ünsal, ministers, MPs, and other guests.
The evening commenced with a moment of silence and the national anthem, followed by speeches from Turkish Ambassador Yasin Ekrem Serim, Speaker Zorlu Töre, and President Ersin Tatar.
The event also featured a screening of the documentary film “A Minister on the Gallows,” honouring the memory of Fatin Rüştü Zorlu.
In his speech, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Yasin Ekrem Serim highlighted Zorlu’s significant impact on Turkish political history, noting that his dedication to the Cyprus cause and support for Turkish Cypriots earned him a special place in the hearts of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Serim explained that Zorlu’s entry into politics coincided with a critical period when the Cyprus issue gained international prominence.
He emphasized Zorlu’s pivotal role in shaping Türkiye’s Cyprus policy during this era, highlighting his leadership in securing Turkish involvement in the international negotiations that eventually led to the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.
Serim further noted that Zorlu played a key role in the creation of the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT), which was formed in response to escalating violence by the Greek Cypriot EOKA movement.
He emphasized that Zorlu’s steadfast support for the defense of Turkish Cypriots, both diplomatically and on the ground, made him a central figure in ensuring that Turkish Cypriots were recognized as equal partners in the newly established Republic of Cyprus.
Also speaking, Speaker of the Parliament Zorlu Töre paid tribute to Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, describing him as the savior of the Turkish Cypriots and a key figure in the formation of the TMT.
Töre recounted how his own father named him after Zorlu, reflecting the deep admiration for the late Foreign Minister within the Turkish Cypriot community.
Töre also recalled the hardships faced by Turkish Cypriots during the late 1950s and the importance of the TMT’s establishment, noting that Zorlu was instrumental in securing Türkiye’s military and political support for the Turkish Cypriots during this turbulent time.
President Ersin Tatar also praised Fatin Rüştü Zorlu’s contributions, particularly his role in supporting the Turkish Cypriot struggle against the EOKA insurgency. Tatar noted that Zorlu was a staunch advocate for Türkiye’s active involvement in Cyprus, ensuring that Turkish rights and interests were safeguarded.
Tatar acknowledged that the establishment of the Turkish Cypriot state today is, in part, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of Zorlu and other Turkish leaders like Prime Minister Adnan Menderes. He concluded by reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to the two-state solution for Cyprus, highlighting the continued importance of Zorlu’s legacy in Turkish Cypriot politics.
The evening closed with tributes to Zorlu and prayers for the martyrs and veterans who fought for the Turkish Cypriot cause.