We commemorate the late Rauf Raif Denktaş, the founding President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with respect and gratitude on the fifth 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 wisdom and 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 faced to that end, and therefore he will always occupy his exceptional place in history and our hearts with his 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 long righteous struggle in his guidance, will lead to a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement in the Island and turn it into an area of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.