Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu held a series of contacts in the Turkish capital, Ankara on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu met with Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz as part of his official contacts in Ankara.

During the meeting which took place at the Presidential Complex in Ankara and lasted for approximately one hour, various options for cooperation in the fields of tourism and environment were discussed with the aim of promoting the economic development of North Cyprus.

Ataoğlu also met with the Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Mehmet Özhaseki as part of his contacts in the Turkish capital.

Stating that the main topics of discussion during the meeting were urban transformation and the preparation of earthquake regulations, Ataoğlu added that technical teams are working on these matters.

He also referred to the importance of joint efforts in strengthening schools, hospitals, and public buildings that have completed earthquake resistance tests.

Stating that they wanted to benefit from the experiences of the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization regarding the tender process for the Güngör Landfill, Ataoğlu stressed that they will be able to collaborate on joint projects as a result of their good relations.

On the issue of urban planning, the Deputy Prime Minister said that he had held a very productive meeting on issues that included zoning plans.

He also announced that the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization will donate a Mobile Laboratory to the TRNC, which is capable of conducting instant analysis of water samples collected from beaches.

Noting that with the implementation of the Continuous Wastewater Monitoring System, beaches will be under more controlled supervision, Ataoğlu also stressed that they were always sensitive to environmental issues.