Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu made evaluations to the Anadolu Agency correspondent on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Maraş initiative.
Stating that it was no longer accurate to describe “fenced-off city of Maraş” as closed because the area is open to visitors, even if only during certain hours of the day, Ataoğlu noted that Maraş, which was opened on October 8, 2020, had attracted the interest of tourists and has made significant contributions not only to the Gazimağusa district where it is located but also to the entire economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Stressing that the opening of Maraş, which has hosted more than 2 million visitors since 2020, was realized at that time with the support of Türkiye, he expressed his gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Ataoğlu also added that they had achieved their initial goals with the opening of Maraş in the Gazimağusa district of the TRNC and that they were preparing to take new steps regarding the area.
“During my visit to Türkiye, I discussed the new steps to be taken regarding the fenced-off city of Maraş with the Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum. I suggested to Minister Kurum that we visit Maraş together during his visits to the TRNC. First, we will both see Maraş, and then we will identify what steps need to be taken. After that, hopefully, we will take the necessary steps one by one regarding Maraş,” he explained.
Stressing that they would not hesitate to take the steps they are considering together with Türkiye to further increase Maraş’s contribution to the national economy, Ataoğlu stressed that Maraş was under the absolute sovereignty of the TRNC.