The first Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Mustafa Çağatay, was commemorated at his gravesite in Karaoğlanoğlu Cemetery on the 36th anniversary of his passing.
The ceremony was attended by President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri, military commanders, and other high-ranking officials.
During the ceremony, speakers emphasized Çağatay’s contributions to the country as both a legal expert and a politician.
Speaking on behalf of the family, İsmail Bozkurt highlighted Çağatay’s honesty, reconciliatory nature, and commitment to dialogue throughout his life. He described him as a leader who always acted with integrity and expressed regret that Çağatay never had the opportunity to document his experiences.
President Ersin Tatar praised Çağatay’s role in securing the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and his dedication to their struggle for sovereignty. Recalling his tenure as Minister of Labour, Tatar noted that Çağatay valued reconciliation and dialogue, emphasizing that “his legacy to us is to seek consensus and avoid unnecessary conflicts.”
Tatar also underscored Çağatay’s unwavering commitment to the survival and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people, describing him as a leader who fought tirelessly for their existence on the island.
Stressing the importance of preserving Turkish Cypriot values and identity, he reiterated the vision of a two-state solution, calling on Greek Cypriot leaders to embrace cooperation.
“Our new policy seeks collaboration between two states for the benefit of both communities. This is the essence of the Mustafa Çağatay culture,” Tatar stated.
The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence in honour of Mustafa Çağatay’s legacy.
