Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz was in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for a one-day visit.
In addition to attending the inauguration of the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque in Lefkoşa, Yılmaz met with state and government officials.
Yılmaz was accompanied by the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, along with the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, and their delegations, arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Thursday morning for various contacts.
Yılmaz and his delegation were welcomed at Ercan Airport by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu, and state and government officials.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Ercan Airport, Prime Minister Üstel emphasized the significance of the opening of the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque, stating that the Turkish Cypriot people, who were part of the Turkish nation, shared the joys and sorrows of motherland Türkiye.
He said that the construction of the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque was a testament to the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people in Cyprus.
Emphasizing the importance of visits by Turkish officials to the TRNC, Üstel said, “Our relations with motherland Türkiye are genuine and sincere, based on respect, love, trust, and brotherhood. If today we live in security and peace under the pride of our flags, with the continuous calls to prayer, it is thanks to our motherland Türkiye.”
Üstel highlighted that the Turkish Vice President’s visit to the TRNC was not limited to the opening ceremony and that a variety of issues including the project to bring electricity from Türkiye to the TRNC through cables was also on the agenda.
Also speaking, the Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz conveyed greetings from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The TRNC is going through an important period. Last year, we celebrated the TRNC’s 40th anniversary, and this year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 peace operation.
The TRNC continues its journey as an independent sovereign state, striving to elevate its development to higher levels. We, as Türkiye, are by their side and will continue to support them,” he said.
Yılmaz added that the Dr. Suat Günsel mosque was a tangible indication of what the Turkish Cypriots could achieve, carrying values that will be passed on to future generations and demonstrating the permanent existence of Turkish Cypriots in the TRNC.
He added that his contacts will focus on discussing ways of enhancing cooperation in all areas.
Shortly after his arrival Yılmaz attended the opening ceremony of the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque in Lefkoşa.
The ceremony for the opening of the mosque which has 62 domes and six minarets as well as the island’s largest dome on the island with a height of 36.8 meters and diameter of 23.8 meters was attended by President Ersin Tatar, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır the Speaker of the TRNC Parliament Zorlu Töre, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu, the head of the Near East University’s Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel, cabinet ministers as well as other state and government officials.
The first of the speeches was delivered by the head of the Near East University’s Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel who said that the mosque was proof of the permanent existence of the Turkish Cypriot people in Cyprus.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in his speech said that Turkish Cypriots had never abandoned their flag or faith despite the oppression and suffering they faced by Greek Cypriots.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz for his part expressed his happiness from being in the TRNC to inaugurate such a beautiful structure.
Remembering those who sacrificed their lives to establish a state in Cyprus, Yılmaz said that Türkiye’s timely intervention, and the courage and will exercised by Turkish Cypriots had prevented a situation similar to the one being experienced in Gaza today.
Yılmaz concluded by stating that they will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots for the development, progress, and a fair and permanent solution in Cyprus.
Delivering the final speech President Tatar said that prayers have been echoing across the island since 1571 and that they were making sure that all muslim places of worship in Cyprus received the attention and care required. Referring to the struggle waged for the recognition of the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people on the basis of sovereign equality, President Tatar expressed their strong determination in this regard.
He shared the importance and national significance of the struggle they have been carrying out with the great support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the acceptance of the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people in Cyprus.
Tatar remarked that the mosque was a significant contribution to the roots, institutional structure, faith, and just cause of the TRNC, and was a message to the world.
“Therefore, from here, we express to the whole world that if there is to be an agreement in Cyprus, it must absolutely be based on the existence of two states,” he said.
Following the speeches, the mosque was inaugrated with prayers and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
In the afternoon, the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kaçır toured the Günsel car manufacturing plant in Lefkoşa before meeting with Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu.
Later the Turkish Ministers Yılmaz and Kacır were received by President Ersin Tatar.
Late in the afternoon, Yılmaz and Kacır met with the residents of the villages of Güvercinlik and Akdoğan before departing from the island.