President Ersin Tatar on Monday said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) fully supports the economic and financial cooperation protocol signed with Türkiye, as well as protocols signed with the Turkish government in the area of labour issues and international agreements.

The Turkish Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Bilgin who is in the TRNC for official contacts was received by President Ersin Tatar on Monday.

Bilgin was accompanied by his TRNC counterpart Hasan Taçoy and the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu.

Speaking during the visit, the Turkish labour minister expressed his happiness over the warm welcome and hospitality shown by TRNC officials.

He also said that it was extremely pleasing to see the TRNC join the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) as an observer member.

“The OTS would not have been complete without the TRNC. This is a sign that we are walking on the right path to a stronger and brighter future,” Bilgin added.

The Turkish minister also said that they will help create a more efficient labour and social security system in the TRNC.

President Ersin Tatar for his part said that the TRNC attached great importance to cooperation with Türkiye and supported all financial, economic and other protocols signed with Ankara as well as international agreements.

Touching upon the unjust embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people, Tatar said that Türkiye’s support was vital in overcoming those embargoes and overcoming the obstacles created by international isolation.

He hailed the announcement made recently to allow Turkish nationals residing in the TRNC to benefit from the social security and health system in Türkiye.

“What is important is for the TRNC to swiftly transfer all economic, financial, health and social security in formation and activities onto the online e-state platform. Such reforms are vital for the TRNC’s future,” Tatar said.

Also touching upon the Cyprus issue, President Ersin Tatar reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side was now advocating for a two-state solution in Cyprus based on the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.

“This was extremely important for us and we succeeded. The whole world has now come to understand, with the support of Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, that it is meaningless and a waste of time to negotiate a federal settlement which has been exhausted after 50-years of inconclusive talks. There is no point in negotiating a federal settlement. Our path is clear and it is the right path,” he said.

Tatar added that the TRNC will pursue this policy, irrespective to whether or not the international community will recognise it as a state.

“God willing we will be recognized one day. There is a reality in Cyprus. What is that reality? It is that there are two separate states and peoples on the island,” he concluded.