Prime Minister Ünal Üstel on Wednesday vowed to address the outstanding problems in the country as well as focus on further developing the TRNC.
Üstel was speaking at a press conference at Ercan Airport before departing for Istanbul for a series of contacts.
Addressing Wednesday’s press conference, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to fearlessly confront and decisively resolve various challenges.
Üstel told reporters that the government remains dedicated to tackling long-standing issues and finding solutions to unresolved problems.
He cited the restoration of the old Girne Harbour as a prime example of their proactive approach to neglected projects.
“Recently, we revitalized Girne Harbour, which had been dormant for years, restoring it to its former glory and opening it for tourism,” Üstel announced.
He further noted their participation in an event marking the commencement of the tourism season over the weekend, expressing optimism for the harbour’s rejuvenation as a pivotal meeting point in Girne.
Üstel also highlighted the government’s efforts in revising outdated laws that had long been neglected, affirming their commitment to passing a series of reform-oriented legislation in the period ahead.
Moreover, he pointed out the rapid progress of various collaborative projects with the Republic of Türkiye, spanning infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, communication, agriculture, and technology sectors.
Assuring the completion of initiatives tailored for the youth, which marks a pioneering step in the nation’s development, Üstel concluded by reiterating the government’s steadfast dedication to address challenges with courage and determination, while continuing to implement projects, enact reforms, and pass crucial legislative measures.
Also providing an update on the work carried out by the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), Prime Minister Üstel highlighted the role of the commission as a domestic legal remedy recognized by the European Court of Human Rights to address claims of Greek Cypriot property owners’ claims.
Acknowledging the recent criticisms directed towards the commission, he emphasized the government’s proactive stance on the matter, addressing concerns by allocating special funds and resources to tackle the issue effectively.
Üstel said that the total amount of compensation that needed to be paid to the 200 or so applications that had been resolved by the end of 2020 was around £68m.
“I am pleased to announce to the public that the payment of these compensation amounts has commenced, and the full compensation will be disbursed within the next few months,” Üstel assured.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to operating the Immovable Property Commission as an effective domestic legal remedy within the framework of international legal criteria.