Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has said that the shores of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were now safer.

Üstel was speaking to Bayrak Radio Television after attending the signing ceremony of the Eastern Mediterranean Vessel Traffic Services System Installation Project in Ankara.

He also indicated that with the signed agreement, the TRNC will have more say in the Mediterranean and Blue Homeland.

Speaking in Ankara on Tuesday, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel expressed his happiness over the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Vessel Traffic Services System project in collaboration with Türkiye.

Pointing out that it will take three years to complete the project, Üstel said that once completed, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will be able to monitor the waters off the northern coast of the island.

“Our shores will become safe and the TRNC will have more say in the Mediterranean and Blue Homeland,” he said, adding that the project will also allow the TRNC to take affirmative action on issues such as waste pollution caused by passing ships as well as undocumented migration.

The signing ceremony for the Eastern Mediterranean Vessel Traffic Services System Installation Project took place with the participation of the Turkish Minister of Transportation Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, and Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı.

The Vessel Traffic Services (VSTS) System is a maritime safety service designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic in a particular area.

It involves the use of technology and communication systems to monitor, manage, and provide information to ships navigating through specific waters in order to prevent collisions, protect the marine environment, and facilitate the safe and orderly movement of vessels.