President Ersin Tatar marked the 4th anniversary of the partial reopening of the fenced-off resort town of Maraş in an interview with Anadolu Agency, highlighting the significant contributions the move has made to the economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

He emphasized that this development reinforced the policy of two sovereign states with equal international status.

In his remarks, President Tatar recalled that the reopening of a portion of the long-closed Maraş, 46 years after it was sealed off, occurred during his tenure as Prime Minister.

“Our long-term goal is to demolish some buildings and rebuild them, while renovating others to contribute to the national economy,” Tatar stated.

On October 8, 2020, a section of the fenced-off area was reopened for public visits, leading to both political and economic benefits for the TRNC.

Tatar revealed that since the opening, the area has attracted 2.2 million visitors, with 90% of tourists to the TRNC making it a key destination.

Tatar stressed that Maraş was under TRNC sovereignty and that its reopening was a step in supporting the two-state solution based on sovereign equality.

He also linked the move to the broader “Blue Homeland” strategy, noting that it strengthens the TRNC’s independence as the southernmost representative of the Turkish world.

The President reiterated that their primary goal was to open some areas of Maraş for public use, which they have achieved.

Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of incorporating some areas into the economy by rebuilding or renovating structures.

He also acknowledged the challenges surrounding property rights and stated that the TRNC is working with the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) to address these issues, highlighting historical claims tied to the region’s status as a foundation property under Ottoman rule.

Tatar pointed out that Maraş was a topic during the Annan Plan Referendum and Crans-Montana talks, where its return to the Greek Cypriots was discussed. However, he noted that the Greek Cypriots rejected both federation-based negotiations and the return of Maraş, reinforcing the end of federal solution talks.

President Tatar concluded by asserting that the TRNC will continue to chart its own course as a sovereign state, with full control over Maraş.