Press Release Regarding the Third Anniversary of the Passing Away of Rauf Denktaş, the Founding President of the TRNC

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Dışişleri Bakanlığı 13.01.2015

No: 14, 13 January 2015

We commemorate the late Rauf Raif Denktaş, the founding President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with respect and gratitude on the third anniversary of his passing away.

The late Denktaş devoted his entire life to the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle for a dignified existence, and defended with great sacrifices the cause of the Turkish Cypriot people for rights, equality and freedom in a common bond of sentiments and ideals with motherland Turkey. Rauf Denktaş exhibited an outstanding leadership in overcoming all challenges, and therefore occupies an exceptional place in history with his leadership and statesmanship qualities appreciated throughout the world.

We respectfully commemorate once again the late Rauf Denktaş and express our conviction that the Turkish Cypriot people’s righteous struggle will lead to a just and lasting settlement in the Island and turn it into an area of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.