Biography
Atay Ahmet Raşit, was born in Paphos in 1943. He completed his secondary education at T.E.D Ankara College and his higher education at Ankara University Faculty of Political Affairs, Department of Economics and Finance. He received his postgraduate degree on “European Economic Community Agricultural Economics Policy” at University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Between 1970 and 1990, he served as executive manager in private sector.
In the 1990 general elections, he was elected as National Unity Party MP from Lefkoşa and was appointed as the Minister of Trade and Industry in the cabinet of the "4th Eroğlu Government" (20 June 1990-31 December 1993). Yet, he left his duty in July 1992, after resigning from the National Unity Party and taking part in the foundation of Democrat Party. He attended the early general elections held on 12 December 1993 as a Democrat Party member, but was not elected.
During the coalition governments of Democrat Party- Republican Turkish Party between the dates of 1 January 1994 and 4 July 1996 he was assigned as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense.
He speaks English. He is married and has two children.