Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized that Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are bound by unshakable ties that are rooted in history.
Yılmaz made the statement while he attended the 1st Cities and Cultures Meeting organized by the TRNC Prime Ministry in Istanbul.
Yilmaz emphasized the crucial role of Türkiye’s guarantorship and peace operations in preventing potential turmoil in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) akin to that seen in Gaza.
Speaking during the meeting, Yilmaz also expressed gratitude to those involved, “both the fighters and armed forces,” in maintaining peace and underscored the importance of recognizing the longstanding history and reality of the region.
“I believe we all see that similar scenes to those witnessed in Gaza could also happen in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus if Türkiye’s guarantorship and peace operation did not exist,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for global acknowledgment of the inherent rights of Turkish Cypriots to sovereign equality and equal international status, affirming Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Turkish Cypriot community.
“As the Republic of Türkiye, we are always with the Turkish Cypriots in this regard,’’ he noted.
Touching upon developments and structural reforms that are taking place in the TRNC, Yılmaz said that structural reforms are being implemented in cooperation for the development and improvement of the TRNC in all its regions.
Stating that the construction of the TRNC Presidency building and the Parliament buildings are continuing rapidly and are expected to be completed by November, Yılmaz said they are also providing a variety of support to the various fields in the TRNC including the municipalities.
Stating that a double-line cable project will be realized between Türkiye and the TRNC in the field of electricity, Yılmaz said, “When we achieve this, this cable system will be able to utilize the potential of the TRNC in renewable energy, as it will be round-trip. We have already started the feasibility studies for this project.”
Also saying a few words at the iftar dinner, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor candidate of the People’s Alliance Murat Kurum said that Cyprus is a national cause for them.
“If there is a Greek Cypriot state in the south of Cyprus, there is a Turkish Cypriot state in the north, there is the TRNC, and this has not changed in any way and will not change because Cyprus is the national cause of all of ours. We have always stood by the Turkish Cypriots and we will continue to stand with the support of our beloved nation” said Kurum.