The Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı has applied to the Secretariat of the Organisation of Turkic States in Istanbul for the inclusion of Gazimağusa Port in the Sister Ports Programme of the organisation.
Arıklı stated that the inclusion of the port in the project would be a significant blow to the unfair restrictions and embargoes imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The Minister of Public Works and Transportation conveyed the request to become a party to the Sister Ports Agreement to Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Turkic States
Speaking in Istanbul minister Arıklı emphasized that the inclusion of Gazimağusa Port in the project would be a significant move in removing and lifting the unfair restrictions and embargoes imposed on the TRNC.
He also mentioned that former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s support for a “yes” vote in the referendum should be seen as a reward for the Turkish Cypriots and called for the removal of unfair restrictions imposed since 1983.
“The Organisation of Turkic States should take into account the desire of the Turkish Cypriot people and respond positively to this just demand. We expect our brothers to show us the same approach they have shown to other observer members,” he said.
Arıklı also pointed out that there was no international rule or binding decision preventing travel or trade from Gazimağusa Port, which has been confirmed by international organizations and the European Commission on more than one occasion.
He mentioned that in the past, Greek Cypriot Members of the European Parliament had complained about direct voyages from the port and that the EU Commission had responded by saying, “Since there is no restrictive provision regarding Gazimağusa Port, you should discuss the issue with the relevant country.”
Arıklı emphasized that if the organisation included Gazimağusa Port in the Sister Ports Project, it would open up a new and significant market for the products produced in the TRNC.
The Sister Ports project was established as part of the organisation’s Connectivity Program, which was signed by Transport Ministers at the 9th Summit Meeting of the Organisation of Turkic States on November 11, 2022.
While Hungary, another observer member of the organization, also signed the OTS Connectivity Program, if the application is accepted, Gazimağusa Port will become a part of the Sister Ports project along with Samsun, Mersin, Baku, Aktau, Kuryk, and the three dry cargo ports of Uzbekistan.