The new legislative year of the Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reconvened on Monday for its new legislative year following a 3-month summer recess.
A symbolic plenary session was held.
The work of the 3rd Legislative Year of the 10th term of the Republic’s Assembly has begun.
In his address at the symbolic plenary session the speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre presented the report on the work carried out by the Republic’s Assembly during the last term.
He stated that a total of 76 laws, including 13 legislative proposals and 63 draft laws, were enacted during the second legislative year.
He also emphasized that the Assembly will continue to protect the sovereignty of the TRNC and expressed support for President Ersin Tatar’s policy on Cyprus.
Also taking to the podium, the leader of the National Unity Party, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel noted that in the past legislative year, together with all MPs in the Republican Assembly, they had passed the laws that the country had been waiting for many years.
Üstel underlined that thanks to the stability provided in the new period, unfinished projects will be completed and realized one by one.
Sharing information regarding upcoming projects, Üstel said that the preliminary protocol for the arrival of energy from Türkiye via cable had been signed, Ercan Airport was put into service, infrastructure work on some roads have been completed and others are near completion.
Referring to the economic crisis in the world and the difficulties experienced due to the use of the Turkish Lira, Üstel said that they have decided to give the cost of living allowance 3 times a year and have submitted the legal work to the parliament.
He also stated that the preparation of the country’s development plans is among the priority targets.
Drawing attention to the calls made by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the 77th and 78th General Assemblies of the UN for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Üstel stated that all efforts will be made in this direction.
The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman for his part said that the purchasing power of the people has decreased and the country is going through an extremely troubled period.
He voiced his concern that if a long-term development plan isn’t prepared with a population policy then the plan will be useless.
The leader of the Democrat Party (DP), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu also addressed the MP’s during the plenary session by reminding them that the committees of the Republic’s Assembly worked throughout the summer months.
He emphasized the importance of including the opinions of experts in the committees in order to be more efficient in the coming legislative year.
He also expressed the hope that the 50 deputies in parliament will work in unity and solidarity and pass the laws in order for the new period to be efficient.
The leader of the Rebirth Party, Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı for his part stated that there is a new model forming in the world and that Türkiye and the TRNC will take their place in this new model.
Emphasizing the importance of the statements made by President Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in New York, Arıklı expressed full support for President Tatar’s two-state solution policy.
He stated that the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the protection of its existence are among the priority issues of the government and his party.
After the session was completed, a reception was realized.