President Ersin Tatar stated that the Turkish Cypriot people will never forget Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, who will live forever in their hearts, nor allow him to be forgotten.
“This is our greatest and indispensable duty” President Tatar said.
President Ersin Tatar issued a message on the 13th anniversary of the passing of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s Founding President, Rauf Raif Denktaş.
“On the 13th anniversary of the passing of our Founding President, the independence leader of the Turkish Cypriot people, Rauf Raif Denktaş, we once again remember him with great longing, respect, and gratitude” the President said.
Noting that Denktaş, during the darkest days of the Turkish Cypriot people, led them with great determination and resolve, initiating a sacred and epic struggle with his cause and comrades-in-arms, Tatar stressed that this struggle had been the greatest source of strength and inspiration.
Stating that, despite the heavy price paid during this struggle, the Turkish Cypriot people never retreated, even while laying their children to rest, he said, “This struggle brought freedom and independence to the people, who now live freely, in sovereignty, and securely in their own homeland, under the roof of their own state.”
“While our determination to sustain the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, entrusted to us by our Founding President Denktaş, continues forever, Denktaş’ struggle, principles, and ideas continue to guide us and illuminate the path of our struggle” Tatar stressed.
Stressing that the words repeatedly pointed out by Founding President Denktaş, even uttered in his final breath—“Hold on to your state, your sovereignty, and motherland Türkiye with all your might, and never give up on the Turkish army”—serve as a sacred legacy for the Turkish Cypriot people, the President added that this testament would always be followed.
“This sacred testament is the greatest source of inspiration and strength for our people and our struggle. We will always remember it, preserve it, and continue to move forward on this path. Today, as we walk with great determination and resolve on the new and national path we have established with motherland Türkiye, we will never abandon our state or sovereignty” Tatar said.
“It has become clear and evident that a federal-based agreement in Cyprus is no longer possible. The only fair, lasting, and sustainable solution for Cyprus and the region is one based on the existence of two separate states” he added.
Tatar concluded by stating that without the acceptance of sovereign equality and international equal status, they will not become captives to the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiation tables again.
“The Greek Cypriot side’s understanding of federation is to remove the Turkish army from Cyprus and make our people a minority. These are absolutely unacceptable. On the 13th anniversary of the passing of our Founding President Denktaş, I would like to once again say on behalf of myself and my people that we will never give up on our state, our sovereignty, our freedom, and motherland Türkiye. While continuing to walk with determination on the new and national path we have established with motherland Türkiye, we will not allow the honour and dignity of the Turkish Cypriot people to be trampled underfoot. We will not be slaves or a minority to the Greek Cypriots. We are not guests on this land, and we have as much right to it as the Greek Cypriots” the President stressed.
“We once again remember Founding President Denktaş with great longing, gratitude, and mercy. Founding President Denktaş, rest in peace. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which you entrusted to us will be preserved, strengthened and lived on forever. Our country and our people are eternally grateful to you” Tatar concluded.