Former Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Ecevit, who also served during 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, passed away on Sunday night (5 November).

Bulent Ecevit’s death caused deep sorrow in the TRNC, where flags are flying at half-mast. Following the death of Former Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, besides state and government officials in the TRNC, political parties, associations and institutions issued messages of condolence.

President Mehmet Ali Talat expressing his deep sorrow for Ecevit’s death, said:

"We lost Bulent Ecevit. He was a very important person for the Turkish Cypriot people, Turkey and the whole Turkish nation. I would like to convey my condolences to all of them.

Bulent Ecevit’s importance for Turkish Cypriots is very well known. Ecevit serving as the Prime Minister during 1974 Peace Operation made very important supports for Turkish Cypriots and helped them to reach today.

Bulent Ecevit as the Prime Minister, who gave the decision to carry out the peace operation, displayed a great statesmanship and political will during the operation and afterwards did not refrain from any kind of support for the development of the Turkish Cypriot People. Ecevit continued his contributions to the Turkish Cypriot state formed after 1974 Peace Operation and always responded positively to the Turkish Cypriots’ needs on sate structuring, assembly formation, economic development and laws.

Modern social laws were put into force peacefully, due to Ecevit’s positive and constructive approach. Ecevit also provided all kind of financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots. It should not be forgotten that, after the operation, the economic structuring and the operation of the economic facilities in the form of public economic enterprises were important job in which, Ecevit’s government had great contributions. He appointed a minister to be in charge of the problems of the Turkish Cypriots and he, himself closely followed.

Shortly, Turkish Cypriots have many good memories with Ecevit. They knew him very well and loved him. Therefore, his death caused a deep sorrow in the TRNC. I would like to convey our deep sorrow and condolences to the whole Turkish nation and Ecevit’s relatives on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people. We believe that the Turkish Cypriot people will never forget his contributions.

Responding to a question Talat said he would attend Ecevit’s funeral.

In his message Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said:

"I have learned the death of the Former Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Ecevit with deep sorrow. Bulent Ecevit, who was the Turkish Prime Minister during 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, made great contributions to Turkey’s development, modernization and democratization during different duties he performed in his political life and while serving as the Prime Minister at different periods. I would like to express my belief that Bulent Ecevit as one of the most prominent persons in Turkish politics will continue to live in our hearts. Reiterating my deep sorrow, I would like to convey my condolences particularly to his spouse Rahsan Ecevit, the supporters of Democratic Left Party, Turkish nation and the Turkish Cypriot people.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý in a message issued within the framework of Ecevit’s death, stressed that Ecevit would continue to live in the hearts of Turkish Cypriots.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriots have never forgotten Bulent Ecevit until today and will not forget, Avcý said: “Bulent Ecevit, who was a very prominent politician with his peaceful, brave, determined, honest and trustworthy personality was one of the architects of 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, which changed the fate of the Turkish Cypriots 32 years ago. He has a significant place in the hearts of Turkish Cypriots."

Acvý conveyed his condolences to both Turkish nation and the Turkish Cypriot people.

Meanwhile, TRNC’s Founding President Rauf Raif Denktas, also expressed deep sadness from Bulent Ecevit’s death.

Stating that Ecevit was an esteemed statesman Denktas said, he made the world believe that Turkey would not bow to any pressure, and would act in determination to maintain her rights.

Pointing out that he would never forget Ecevit Denktas said;

"I think when the Turkish Cypriots hear the name of Bulent Ecevit they will remember the Turkish peace operation, thus their birthday. If the peace operation had not been carried out, today there would not be a single Turk in Cyprus. Ecevit knew Cyprus’ importance very well. For me Ecevit is an unforgettable leader, a great prime minister and a statesman… May God have mercy on him".

It was reported that there was also a TRNC flag in British football team Arsenal’s stadium entitled ‘Emirates’.

It was pointed out that while the Greek Cypriots protested Arsenal with a request to remove the TRNC flag, the Arsenal football club refused this request with the excuse that it would be a discrimination for its Turkish Cypriot fans.

According to Greek Cypriot daily Simerini, the Arsenal Football Club responding to the Greek Cypriots protest letter, dated 28 October, said the removal of the TRNC flag from the stadium would be perceived as a discrimination against its Turkish Cypriot fans.

The Club administration saying that the only way to solve this problem was to ban all national flags said however they did not want to do such thing.