The 2025 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement between Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will be signed in the Turkish capital Ankara on Friday.

Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı, stated that Prime Minister Ünal Üstel would be traveling to Ankara via Istanbul today.

Speaking on a program on BRT, Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı made important statements regarding the agreement to be signed between Türkiye and the TRNC.

He stated that Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu had travelled to Istanbul and would proceed to Ankara from there.

Minister Arıklı noted that technical teams had reached a certain point in their work on the agreement, but mutual demands remained and would be discussed during the Ankara visit.

He also emphasized that ports and vehicle inspection stations hold a significant place in the 2025 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement.

“Everyone is aware of the dire state of Gazimağusa and Girne ports. Unfortunately, the privatization of ports was already included in the 2001 agreement. Twenty-three years have passed, and this remains unchanged. Because of privatization plans, no investments or budget allocations have been made for these ports” said Arıklı and added that hopefully they will succeed in discussing all issues related to the ports.

On vehicle inspection stations, Arıklı stressed the need for modernization to meet contemporary standards, highlighting it as a key agenda item.

“One of the major causes of traffic accidents today is that old vehicles fail inspections. There are even 30-40-year-old buses being used for student transportation. However, none of these would pass through modern vehicle inspection laboratories. This is one of the key issues on our agenda”, said Arıklı.