Prime Minister Ünal Üstel shared key updates from his Ankara visit in an exclusive statement to BRT at Esenboğa Airport, following high-level meetings with Türkiye’s leadership.

The Prime Minister described his discussions with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz as highly productive, focusing on resolving pressing issues and planning strategic initiatives for 2025.

Speaking to BRT, Prime Minister Üstel announced solutions to challenges faced in the citrus and artichoke sectors, expressing optimism about restoring trade flows.

“We have overcome last year’s issues in these sectors. Our citrus exports to Türkiye and beyond will resume as before, and artichokes will also reach new markets,” he said.

He added that delayed payments to farmers due to last year’s citrus disruptions have now been settled.

Üstel emphasized the importance of energy infrastructure during his talks, particularly plans to integrate the TRNC into Türkiye’s energy grid via an interconnection system.

“We initiated steps to complete feasibility studies for the energy cable project. President Erdoğan and I worked on plans to expedite its implementation,” he said.

The Prime Minister also addressed the challenges posed by South Cyprus, particularly the pressures and detentions targeting Turkish Cypriot businesspeople.

He discussed this issue with President Erdoğan, seeking Türkiye’s support in countering such actions.

Üstel highlighted his administration’s dedication to prioritizing large-scale projects that address public needs, focusing on development in tourism, education, and industrial sectors.

“We are committed to leading our country to brighter days together with our people in 2025,” he stated.

Before his Ankara meetings, Üstel attended the fifth hearing of the “Champion Angels” case in Adıyaman alongside the families of the victims, underlining the TRNC’s commitment to justice and solidarity.