Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will definitely succeed in establishing an economically self-reliant structure in cooperation with the motherland Türkiye.

Evaluating the Türkiye-TRNC Economic and Financial Cooperation Protocol, which was signed by Turkish President Erdoğan and which entered into force, as well as the news reports on the issue, Prime Minister Üstel stated that they did not leave any of their promises as mere words, but implemented them.

Referring to the increase in foreign exchange rates, Prime Minister Üstel stated, “No one should attempt to demoralize our people or push them into despair due to the rise in foreign exchange rates and the cost of living. Our government will take necessary action when the time comes, just as it has done so in the past,” he said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said that the government had acted on its promises, bringing them to life.

He said that motherland Türkiye had kept its promises to the Turkish Cypriot people and was continuing to support them for the development of their prosperity.

Üstel said that the delay in the approval of the 2023 Türkiye-TRNC Economic and Financial Cooperation Protocol due to the election process in Türkiye did not mean that things came to a halt and that the steps envisaged in the protocol were being taken both in Türkiye and the TRNC.

“As we have always emphasized, the Turkish Cypriot people, by successfully concluding their struggle for freedom and establishing their state, will also definitely succeed in creating an economically self-reliant structure by leaving all infrastructure problems behind in cooperation with the motherland Türkiye, supporting entrepreneurs, and increasing efficiency and productivity in the public sector. Türkiye is, as it was yesterday, beside the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people, and is their main supporter,” he said.

The prime minister said that Türkiye will be providing ₺9.65bn in economic and financial assistance, including projects such as social housing, road works and irrigation.

“Thanks to this agreement, projects such as the preparation and implementation of a project to build a new 500-bed State Hospital in the capital Lefkoşa and some health investments will come to life,” he added.

Emphasizing that Türkiye will continue to support the e-Government project and the education sector with this protocol, Üstel said that no one should attempt to undermine the morale of the public or push them into despair due to the rise in foreign exchange rates and the cost of living.

“Just like before, our government will make the necessary decisions when the time comes to protect the purchasing power of workers, whether in the public or private sector,” Üstel said.

Prime Minister Üstel added that the government will mobilize all available resources to overcome the problems in sectors such as agriculture, education, and tourism.

He said, “Regardless of which segment they represent or what their beliefs are, everyone’s duty is to contribute to the preservation of the unity and solidarity of our people during these challenging times.”