President Ersin Tatar received Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yasin Ekrem Serim, who was in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for an official visit.
Speaking during the visit, Tatar said that the opening of the new Ercan Airport on July 20, will further enhance the TRNC’s potential.
He expressed the view that significant developments will take place in tourism and other sectors in the coming period, which will lead to an increase in prosperity in the country.
President Ersin Tatar on Monday received Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yasin Ekrem Serim on Monday.
Speaking during the visit, the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Serim said that his visit to the TRNC was focused on issues related to combating irregular migration and to negotiate the Consular Affairs Agreement Protocol.
Serim also extended his greetings for the 20th of July Peace and Freedom Day and stressed that Cyprus will continue to be a priority in Türkiye’s national agenda.
Expressing that it was a source of pride and happiness for them that the TRNC has become an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States and the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, Serim also stated that they were always supportive of President Ersin Tatar’s new vision.
President Tatar for his part said they were looking forward to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the TRNC on July 20 to inaugurate the new airport which he added would be the country’s gateway to the world.
Touching upon the Cyprus issue, the President said that the Greek Cypriot leader continued to insist on the resumption of negotiations from where they left off in Crans Montana, however stressed that they would never approve such a proposal.
“As we have stated in our meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about two weeks ago, we are one of the two equal sides. The Turkish Cypriots, who are the founding partner of the 1960 Republic of Cyprus, have acquired rights. Based on these acquired rights, it is our greatest right to establish our own state and maintain our existence within our own democracy, and we have done so,” he said.
He added that various initiatives made to reach an agreement on a federal basis had all been rejected by the Greek Cypriot leadership.
“It is known that in Crans Montana, the reason for the collapse of the negotiations was the significant role played by Christodoulides, who was alongside former leader Anastasiades, and now as a newly elected person, he is calling us to continue from where we left off in Crans Montana and seeking pressure from the international community, especially the EU. This is unacceptable” Tatar added.
Tatar also added that with the support of Türkiye, the TRNC will have new opportunities through observer status or membership in the Organization of Turkic States, which will open new doors for the TRNC.
Referring to the importance of direct flights for the TRNC, he said that if there were direct flights from various countries, the face of the TRNC as a tourism island would change.
Highlighting the significance of resolving the energy issue, including the importation of electricity through cables from Türkiye and the utilization of solar energy, the president said that once the energy issue is resolved, the TRNC will make significant progress.
He also said that the Turkish Cypriot side would be ready to share this electricity with the Greek Cypriot side.