President Ersin Tatar on Wednesday received Muhammet Yaşarata, Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce in the UK, and the chamber’s coordinator Nafiya Horozoğlu.

Tatar touched upon the ongoing efforts, with contributions from the Turkish Cypriot diaspora and the Republic of Türkiye, to resolve the issue of direct flights.

He also stated that he was closely monitoring the initiatives for Turkish Cypriot diaspora members living abroad to participate in local elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

President Ersin Tatar, who received the delegation from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce in the UK, expressed his high regard for Turkish Cypriots living abroad, emphasizing their importance on various platforms.

He mentioned the continuous consultation with the “Turkish Cypriots Abroad” committee established at the Office of the President, stating that they generate projects in collaboration.

Tatar mentioned having visited the UK five times since taking office, engaging in direct conversations with citizens, and listening to their concerns firsthand.

Emphasizing the time-related challenges posed by the absence of direct flights, Tatar highlighted initiatives with the contribution of the Turkish Cypriot diaspora and the Republic of Türkiye to address this issue.

Regarding the demands of Turkish Cypriots living abroad to vote in elections in the TRNC, President Tatar recalled their belief in the right of every TRNC citizen to vote, expressing the government’s active interest in this matter, with him personally overseeing its progress.

President Tatar pointed out the significant political and economic importance of Turkish Cypriots living abroad investing and utilizing their savings on the island.

Speaking during the meeting, Muhammet Yaşarata thanked President Tatar for his efforts to promote the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) during his trips abroad.

He expressed gratitude to Turkish President Erdoğan for his leadership role in promoting the TRNC globally, especially with initiatives in UN speeches and in Turkish states.

Yaşarata also highlighted the achievements of Turkish Cypriots in the UK, including success in Municipal Council Memberships and, most recently, the election of Ahmet Durmuş as the Mayor of Bexley, a municipality with a population of 250,000, symbolizing significant accomplishments.

The chamber president, with over 300,000 Turkish Cypriots residing in the UK, emphasized the importance of facilitating the participation of Turkish Cypriots in TRNC elections, calling for streamlining the overseas voting process and making necessary legal adjustments.

Additionally, Yaşarata urged the establishment of a private and state-supported airline partnership to improve tourist and student transportation, especially in the context of limited flights despite the expansion of Ercan Airport.

He expressed pride in supporting the visionary project for the future of the TRNC, believing it will strengthen the country’s position on the global stage and pave the way for long-term economic development.