President Ersin Tatar addressed the 4th Five-Year Development Meeting held with the participation of Cevdet Yılmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel
“Fresh water transported undersea to the TRNC from Türkiye positively affects the Five-Year Development Plan”
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President Ersin Tatar addressed the 4th Five-Year Development Meeting held with the participation of Cevdet Yılmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
President Tatar pointed out that 14 years ago, when he was serving as the Minister of Finance, Cevdet Yılmaz was at the same time in office in Türkiye as the Minister of Development.
The President said: “On this important day, I am happy that we are both at this very important event and assessing the economic development plan of the TRNC together in the capacity of President and Vice President."
The President also paid tribute to and recalled his memories with Ahmet Baysal, former undersecretary of the State Planning Organisation under the Prime Ministry. “I learnt a lot from Mr. Baysal and I wish to acknowledge and express my appreciation and gratitude,” President Tatar said.
Stating that there are “new hotels opening in the TRNC,” President Tatar drew attention to the fact that “the bed capacity of our hotels is continuing to increase”.
Pointing out that “there are complaints being made that the state is creating difficulties for those who wish to invest in our country,” President Tatar said: “The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a State, and has its own institutions, organisations and bureaucrats. If there is environmental damage and a negative situation within the scope of the law, some applications may be rejected. I am of the view that whilst there should indeed be development, this should be carried out in a manner where we also protect our environment.”
Thanking those who contributed to the development program, President Tatar emphasised that the strengthening of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is of great importance for the two State position. Explaining that the figures in the development plan are realistic, President Tatar said that “it is realistic for the national income, which is below $15,000, to increase to $19,000 in the coming years.
Stating that the “developments in tourism and higher education have positively affected many sub-sectors”, President Tatar said that the “industry has also grown accordingly. . .which has benefited the new industrial area in Güvercinlik”.
President Tatar said that the piping of fresh water undersea to the Island of Cyprus was an issue that had been discussed since the 1960s. “For many years, no tangible steps had been taken on this issue. However, it became a reality when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – who was serving as Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye at the time, ordered for the Project of the Century to be constructed. The project provides 75 million m3 of water, piped to the TRNC via an 80km long pipeline, running 250m undersea.
“Without water, this programme would not exist,” President Tatar said. “The water that is being transported from Türkiye has positive effects on the programme. . . Southern Cyprus is experiencing water shortage as it develops and needs purified water in the Haspolat region.”
Pointing out that the “economy has grown despite the February 6 devastating earthquakes in Türkiye,” President Tatar said: “There have been global challenges which have also made impact on the TRNC, from the pandemic to the Ukraine-Russia War”. President Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was also affected by a loss of 150 billion dollars resulting from the earthquakes in Türkiye.
Stating that “life and economy stopped in the country” during the pandemic period, the President said that “with the measures taken, we were able to pass this period with minimal damage”. President Tatar noted that the TRNC authorities had written to the World Health Organisation about the measures and successes of the TRNC during the lockdown period, which he said showed the existence of the country and the Turkish Cypriot people.
President Tatar stated that a total of eight million crossings were recorded last year, adding that “of these, 65 per cent of vehicle crossings took place in Metehan. I have put forward two proposals to the Greek Cypriot side for the opening of crossing points in Haspolat and Akıncılar, with the objective of alleviating the traffic congestion in Metehan, increasing economic and commercial activity between the two sides and trade under the Green Line Regulation”.
“The Greek Cypriot side has, however, proposed transit points, which do not fit the definition of a crossing point. It is not possible for us to approve these proposals that have security implications,” President Tatar said.
Stressing that there are “two separate States and two Peoples in Cyprus,” President Tatar said: “A realistic and sustainable settlement can be found to the Cyprus issue that is based on the existence of two States, where the two sides coexist as good neighbours in a cooperative relationship, that will be beneficial to future generations.”
Pointing out that the “use of solar energy is very important when the climate change is taken into consideration”, President Tatar pointed out that Southern Cyprus should be included in the interconnection system to the TRNC from Türkiye. “The electricity cable to Türkiye is feasible and economically viable and would reflect positively to the two Sides in Cyprus,” he added.
Stating that peace, prosperity and trust have been prevailing in Cyprus for 50 years, President Tatar added: “Economic developments depend on the prevalence of peace, prosperity and stability, which should be used as a basis that benefits the two Sides on the basis of cooperation”.
Referring the conflicts in other parts of the world, President Tatar said: “Those who believed that the culture of conflict would come to an end are today witnessing the continuation of conflict in the world.”
Making a call to TRNC citizens who are living abroad, President Tatar said: “The return of Turkish Cypriots who are working and studying abroad, will add a new synergy and momentum, and they should return to their country and take advantage of new opportunities.”
Thanking the organisers of the aerospace and technology festival (TEKNOFEST) to be held on May 1-4, 2025 in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, President Tatar said: “Thousands of people will visit the country to participate and visit the event – the first of its kind in the country -- and the name of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be promoted worldwide, contributing to its development and promotion.”