ANKARA - "Former prime minister Bulent Ecevit became a significant symbol with his democratic struggle," Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin has indicated.
The parliament held a special session on late former prime minister Ecevit on Tuesday.
Addressing the parliamentarians, Sahin noted, "we feel deep sorrow because we lost a great statesman."
Stating that Ecevit always acted in conformity with his sound principles, Sahin underlined, "it is difficult to work as a politician but it is more difficult to have a permanent reputation in politics. Ecevit suffered from several difficulties during his life, however he was a great statesman who overcame all of them."
Sahin said that Ecevit also brought new concepts to the culture of politics.
Bulent Ecevit died at Gulhane Military Hospital (GATA) after nearly six months in a coma following a stroke on November 5th.