Prime Minister Ünal Üstel on Tuesday welcomed the Turkish Republic’s Ambassador to Lefkoşa, Yasin Ekrem Serim, along with his accompanying delegation at the Prime Ministry’s Honour Hall.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Üstel emphasized the inseparable bond between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Republic of Türkiye, comparing the relationship to “flesh and bone.”
In his remarks, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel highlighted the unwavering support of Türkiye in times of need, stating, “Motherland Türkiye has always stood by us whenever we needed it. We are working tirelessly, utilizing the resources provided through the Economic and Financial Cooperation Protocols signed with Türkiye, to ensure our people live in a modern and prosperous country. In this regard, the role of Türkiye’s Lefkoşa Embassy as a bridge to elevate our relations and ensure the timely completion of projects is vital. I sincerely believe that with Ambassador Serim, we will further strengthen the already deep-rooted ties of affection and conduct our relations based on mutual trust and respect.”
Reflecting on past collaborations, Üstel mentioned the significant progress made during the tenure of the previous ambassador, Metin Feyzioğlu, in completing long-standing projects.
He expressed confidence in continuing this momentum with Ambassador Serim, ensuring that no projects remain unfinished in the country.
Addressing the pressing issue of energy in the TRNC, Prime Minister Üstel revealed that energy will be a key focus in the new period. He expressed optimism about resolving the ongoing energy challenges, citing a protocol signed with Türkiye for the transfer of energy via cable.
“We have signed a protocol in collaboration with Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz of the Republic of Türkiye to bring energy to our country via cable. The feasibility studies for this project are nearing completion, and once finalized, we will take the necessary steps in accordance with our cooperation agreements with Türkiye. I firmly believe that the energy problem in our country will soon be a thing of the past,” Üstel stated.
Ambassador Yasin Ekrem Serim, in his first official remarks as the 16th Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Lefkoşa, expressed his honour and pride in assuming the role.
He assured that the Turkish Republic will continue to stand by the TRNC as it has done in the past.
“During my tenure, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the people of the TRNC achieve the bright future they deserve in every aspect,” Serim concluded.