The late leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Özker Özgür and the late Secretary General of the National Unity Party (UBP) Salih Miroğlu were remembered today on the 19th anniversary of their deaths.

The two had passed away on the same day 19 years ago.

Ceremonies were realized this morning (Friday) to commemorate the two politicians at their gravesides.

State and government officials issued message to mark the occasion.

President Ersin Tatar in his message stated that the two politicians left their mark on the political history of the country.

“We can defend different views in politics, but the common goal of all of us is to ensure that the Turkish Cypriot people live in Cyprus in an independent, free and dignified way,” said Tatar.

The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Ziya Öztürkler in his message noted that Dr. Salih Miroğlu was an irreplaceable person, a politician and a doctor who provided invaluable services to the Turkish Cypriot People and the National Unity Party for many years.

He also said that Özker Özgür, one of the most important figures in Turkish Cypriot political history, was an exemplary politician with his selfless work under the umbrella of the Republican Turkish Party.

He commemorated both men with much respect and admiration.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in his message praised Özker Özgür who was one of the former Presidents of the CTP and deputy Prime Ministers and said that although they had a look at the world from different political perspectives, Özker Özgür will always be an elder that they will remember for his political views, his understanding of democracy and his services to his people.

Üstel continued by saying “Salih Miroğlu was a politician who will always be an example for our future generations with his personality, statesmanship and social aspect, will always take his place among the unforgettable names of TRNC political history with the responsibilities he undertook for his party and state. May their souls rest in peace.”

3rd President Derviş Eroğlu in his message stated that Salih Miroğlu died at a very early age, at a time when he would have provided very important services to the UBP and the country.

“The duty of UBP members is to be loyal, to ensure the unity in the party, to remember Salih Miroğlu, who showed the sacrifice of running for the UBP Presidency by hiding his health problems from us with the awareness that he was needed to serve the country, and to guide his love for the party and the country” said Eroğlu.