The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) introduced its Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (2025-2029) during a high-level meeting today.
The plan aims to enhance the country’s economic, social, and cultural development while improving the well-being of the Turkish Cypriot people.
The meeting was attended by President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, ministers, MPs as well as state bureaucrats.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel described the plan as a historic milestone, emphasizing that it is not just an economic strategy but a vision for TRNC’s future.
He recalled that only three development plans had been implemented since 1974, with the last one dating back to 1993-1997, and stressed that breaking this 28-year gap marks a new era for TRNC.
Ăśstel underscored the critical role of TĂĽrkiye’s support, stating that the plan focuses on building a strong economy, a sustainable environment, and a socially cohesive society.
The government aims to double tourism revenues, enhance higher education quality, increase student numbers to 110,000, and expand digital and green transformation initiatives.
The plan also prioritizes disaster-resistant urban development, renewable energy expansion, and rural development to ensure sustainable growth. Üstel reiterated that all projects aim to improve living standards, economic resilience, and TRNC’s global standing, adding that the plan reflects the government’s responsibility to its people.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz reaffirmed TĂĽrkiye’s continued commitment to TRNC, conveying President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄźan’s support.
He described the development plan as a foundation for deeper TĂĽrkiye-TRNC cooperation, ensuring a prosperous future for the Turkish Cypriot people.
Quoting “A ship without direction benefits from no wind,” Yılmaz emphasized the importance of clear economic strategies and praised TRNC’s move towards structured development planning. He stressed that true independence requires economic strength, technological advancement, and institutional stability, warning that legal sovereignty alone is insufficient without a solid economic base.
Highlighting the historical and unbreakable ties between Türkiye and TRNC, Yılmaz stated that the Turkish Cypriot people have always fought for their rights and freedom.
He concluded by affirming that this new development era will solidify TRNC’s place on the international stage, ensuring a future of stability and growth.
President Ersin Tatar in his speech emphasized the country’s stability and progress over the years, stating, “Looking back 40 years, we have come a long way. We must be grateful for how far we have advanced.”
Speaking on the TRNC’s newly drafted five-year development plan, Tatar expressed gratitude to those involved in its preparation.
He highlighted the plan’s significance not only for key economic sectors but also for strengthening the country’s independence struggle.
Referring to the plan’s projections, Tatar described them as realistic, noting that the TRNC’s current gross national income of $15bn is expected to reach $19bn by 2029.
On the Cyprus issue, the president reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s stance, emphasizing that “there are two separate states and two separate peoples on the island.”
He urged the Greek Cypriot side to acknowledge this reality and explore opportunities for cooperation that would benefit both sides.
Also touching upon the issue of border crossings, President Tatar rejected the Greek Cypriot administration’s proposed transit crossings, stating that they were not acceptable to the TRNC.
He reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side had put forward an alternative proposal for opening the Akyar-Limnidis (Akıncılar-Limya) crossing point.