The Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz said that Türkiye will succeed in completing the interconnectivity project with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) just as they brought water to the island via an underwater pipeline.
Yılmaz was speaking at a joint press conference with President Ersin Tatar at the presidential palace following a face-to-face meeting.
The Turkish vice president who embarked on his official contacts in the TRNC on Monday first visited the mausoleums of leader of the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for the existence Dr. Fazıl Küçük, and the founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş before being received separately by President Ersin Tatar, the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
Following wreath laying-ceremonies at the tombs of the late Turkish Cypriot leader Dr Fazıl Küçük and the late founding TRNC President Rauf R. Denktaş, the Turkish Vice President was received by President Ersin Tatar.
Following an hour-long meeting, the two held a joint press conference at the presidential palace.
Speaking first, President Ersin Tatar said that the main goal is to strengthen the foundation of the TRNC and further advance the momentum gained, emphasizing that they are now the pioneers of this new policy.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people’s and Türkiye’s support for a federal settlement in the past had failed to produce the desired result, Tatar said that all these developments brought the TRNC to its current position.
Highlighting the importance of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, Tatar said that his Turkish counterpart’s visit last week had confirmed the importance of this policy.
The president stressed that the Turkish Cypriots could only sit at the negotiating table as a sovereign, independent state, adding that their current priority is to further advance the economy and the well-being of the people.
Tatar also highlighted the importance of the interconnectivity project for the TRNC, pointing that this was a view backed by experts.
Tatar said, “Hopefully, important steps will be taken in the near future and efforts will be made to interconnect Türkiye and the TRNC through cables.”
He also stated that such a project was important in order to protect the environment as well as achieve sustainable development in the country’s tourism, light industry, agriculture, transportation, and information technology sectors.
Tatar also mentioned other projects regarding the Maraş initiative, social housing, new hospitals, dual carriageways and upgrading existing roads.
The Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz for his part said that he was honoured and happy to be carrying out his first visit abroad since assuming office to the TRNC.
Yılmaz said that he had held a productive meeting with President Tatar during which he had found the opportunity to discuss cooperation on various issues such as the Eastern Mediterranean.
Yılmaz also mentioned that he had held inspections at the new Ercan airport and noted that there were no significant obstacles to opening the airport in time for the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit on July 20.
He also stressed that Türkiye was dedicated to the future and welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people and expressed his belief that the Turkish Cypriots will overcome the embargoes and open up to the world, but that this required patience.
“I believe the Turkish Cypriot people will rightfully attain their place as a sovereign state and nation within the framework of international law,” he said.
Yılmaz also thanked the Turkish Cypriot people who opened their doors in the spirit of solidarity during the February 6 earthquake which struck Türkiye.
He expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives.
Regarding the settlement of the Cyprus Problem, Yılmaz said that “a solution in Cyprus can only be built upon the realities on the island.”
He emphasized that despite the Turkish side’s constructive and good-faith attitude, the international community perceived Turkish Cypriots as a minority, an approach which he said needed to be abandoned.
Addressing the European Union, Yılmaz said, “While it is a fundamental principle of the European Union not to allow countries in conflict to join the bloc, it has violated its own policy by accepting the Greek Cypriot side as a member. They are providing unjust support. I invite them to adopt a fair stance based on rights.”
Highlighting the TRNC’s observer membership to the Organisation of Turkic States, he said that membership was progress towards recognition.
He further added, “We have never been the party to walk away from the negotiation table in seeking a solution. We are determined to protect our rights. All states have common interests of their people. Those who try to exclude us will not succeed. We are ready to engage in fair sharing regarding the Eastern Mediterranean issue.”
Later, the Turkish vice-president was received separately by Speaker of the Assembly Zorlu Töre and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
He then visited the construction site of the new Presidential Complex and Parliament Building in Lefkoşa as well as held road inspections before departing from the island.