Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) today for official engagements.

Göktaş was received separately on Wednesday by President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of the Parliament Ziya Öztürkler, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, and her counterpart, Minister of Labour and Social Security Sadık Gardiyanoğlu.

The Turkish Minister’s first visit on Wednesday was to President Ersin Tatar.

During the meeting at the presidential palace, Minister Göktaş was accompanied by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Lefkoşa, Yasin Ekrem Serim, and TRNC Minister of Labour and Social Security, Sadık Gardiyanoğlu.

Speaking during the visit, President Tatar expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s unwavering support in areas such as social services and protection for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

He emphasized the importance of sustaining family structures and cultural values, noting that Türkiye’s contributions strengthen the Turkish Cypriot identity and resilience.

The Turkish Minister Göktaş for her part conveyed her satisfaction with visiting the TRNC and outlined Türkiye’s initiatives for 2025, designated as the “Year of the Family.”

She announced plans for cooperation with the TRNC in family welfare, social services, women’s empowerment, and child protection.

Later in the afternoon, Göktaş was received by Speaker of the Parliament Ziya Öztürkler as well as Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.

Both echoed Tatar’s sentiments and gratitude for the support and cooperation carried out with Türkiye.

Both reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts aimed at enhancing social well-being and cultural preservation.

Göktaş and her TRNC counterpart Gardiyanoğlu visited the Demirhan Home for Persons with Disabilities, a facility under the Social Services Department, where she met residents and reviewed its services.

The two ministers also signed a cooperation protocol for the Yenierenköy Elderly and 18+ Disabled Rehabilitation Centre Construction Project, strengthening bilateral efforts in social welfare.

In the evening, Göktaş will attend the inauguration of the “Tangül Ünal Çağıner Care Home” in Haspolat, highlighting the collaborative ties between Türkiye and the TRNC in supporting vulnerable communities.