Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz made statements before his meeting with Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
Yılmaz stated that the security of energy supply in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will be permanently ensured.
“For us, it is a primary goal for the Turkish Cypriots to walk towards the future with stability on an increasingly solid economic foundation, prosperously and strongly” he added.
Speaking ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Ünal Üstel at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Wednesday, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz welcomed Üstel along with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, and Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı.
Congratulating Üstel for his re-election as the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), he stated that the party’s congress had seen democratic competition in a mature manner.
Yılmaz also expressed his heartfelt belief that the UBP would continue to serve the Turkish Cypriots with unity and solidarity.
Reminding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had called for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by the international community, as well as the establishment of diplomatic, political, and economic relations, during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Turkish Vice President said, “The unjust embargoes, sanctions, and efforts of isolation that have been in place for a very long time must come to an end. It is clear that a solution to be reached on the island will have extremely positive regional effects. I would like to stress once again that the motherland Türkiye will always stand by the TRNC and, as a guarantor state, will do everything it can for a fair and permanent solution.”
Yılmaz said that within the framework of the Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement, they would continue to work with Prime Minister and UBP leader Üstel on the development of the TRNC, particularly focusing on structural reforms.
He also stressed that strengthening the TRNC’s capacity in every field and establishing a self-sufficient, productive, and sustainable economy would continue to be among their top priorities.
Stating that they would jointly assess political and economic developments, particularly focusing on the projects being carried out in cooperation with the TRNC, Yılmaz noted that they would also focus on the feasibility report of the cable and electricity project, which will enable two-way energy transmission between the two countries and permanently ensure the security of energy supply in the TRNC.
He also added that they would review the progress of the ongoing Presidential and Republic’s Assembly service buildings in the TRNC and also evaluate the processes related to the new Ercan Airport, which provides services at international standards.
Stressing that the completion of projects within the framework of the 2024 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement, according to the planned timelines, and delivering them to the Turkish Cypriots was a priority, Yılmaz said, “The sole purpose of all the work we are doing and all the efforts we are showing is to ensure that our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters live in the prosperity they deserve in their homeland. We are determined to continue our joint efforts with the TRNC government to ease their daily lives, even to alleviate the unlawful isolation they have been subjected to for years. Through projects covering a wide range of areas, from agricultural irrigation to social housing, from e-government to other initiatives, we will further develop the TRNC and continue our economic cooperation to raise the living standards of our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters.”
“We will permanently ensure the security of energy supply in the TRNC. For us, a key goal is for the Turkish Cypriots to walk into the future with stability, on an increasingly solid economic foundation, in prosperity and strength” the Turkish Vice President added.
Yılmaz also stressed that they would continue to work together for the future and prosperity of the TRNC and thanked Prime Minister Üstel for his visit.