Speaking at his meeting with a delegation from Akhataylılar Association,  President Tatar said: "Nobody said a word whilst  buildings, roads and even a university campus were  being constructed inside the buffer zone between Pile and Larnaca by the Greek Cypriot Side, however when we attempted to develop the road between Pile and Yiğitler, we were faced with confrontation by UNFICYP,  who tried to stop us by employing different methods."
 
Noting that most part of the road is situated in the sovereign territory of the TRNC, President Tatar said that works for the remaining part of the road could be carried out by agreement. 

"We are obliged to and will do our utmost to fulfill our obligations towards our citizens, for the future prosperity of our people and our State," the President said.
 
President Tatar pointed to the good relations between Türkiye and the TRNC and recalled the devastating earthquakes that occurred in Türkiye including Hatay, on February 6, 2023, which caused widespread geographical devastation, adding that many volunteers from the TRNC took part in the search and rescue, as well as aid efforts there.
 
The President also stated that the "Champion Angels" volleyball team made up of TRNC schoolchildren, their teachers and some parents had died in the unprecedented earthquake, and that many more citizens lost their lives, with numerous people becoming homeless.
 
Stressing  that there continues to be a global economic crisis due to different reasons such as the aftermath of the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine,  President Tatar  emphasised:   "Despite all these unfortunate  circumstances, it is important for us to have a single voice and to act  in solidarity and unity for the whole world to see that the TRNC is an independent state in the eastern Mediterranean".

Akhataylılar Association chairman Mehmet İpek said in his speech that after being elected to head the association, he was paying a visit to President Tatar to wish him success and to express solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot People. He said his association places importance on maintaining good relations between the people of the TRNC and the people of Hatay.

Mr. İpek added that he believed the Pile road would be opened and that this will significantly cut travel time to 10-15 minutes from Pile  to the nearest village in the TRNC.