Turkey remembers founding father of Northern Cyprus

By Sena Guler

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey on Wednesday remembered the founding father of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the ninth anniversary of his passing, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

“We commemorate the late Rauf Raif Denktaş, the founding President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with respect and gratitude on the ninth anniversary of his passing away,” the ministry said in a written statement.

Recalling that Denktas defended the rights, equality and liberty of Turkish Cypriot people “with wisdom and devotion”, it said he was always in close unity with Turkey while fighting for their cause.

“Having shown an outstanding leadership in overcoming every kind of difficulties along this process, Rauf Denktaş, as a defender of one of the most righteous cause of our age, will always retain his exceptional place in our hearts and in history,” the ministry added.

Reiterating commitment to the “common national cause,” it cited solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot people.

Denktas had passed away on Jan. 13, 2012.

The Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks, and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.

Turkey has recently stressed that efforts for a “federal” solution to the divided island of Cyprus have proved hopeless, and any future talks must focus on two separate, sovereign states on the island.

As announced Monday, after a five-year hiatus, Greece and Turkey on Jan. 25 will resume exploratory talks in Istanbul amid tensions in the region. The issue of energy rights and maritime boundaries are set to dominate the talks.

Turkey, which has the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, has rejected the maritime boundary claims of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration in the region, stressing that these excessive claims violate the sovereign rights of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.

Ankara last year sent several drill ships to explore for energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting its own rights in the region, as well as those of the TRNC.

Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favor of resolving all outstanding problems in the region through international law, good neighborly relations, dialogue, and negotiations.​​​​​​​