President Ersin Tatar visited Gazimağusa and Maraş, where he also visited the Gazimağusa Special Needs Education Centre along with First Lady Sibel Tatar.

 

In his speech during his visit, President Ersin referred to his visit to the Gazimağusa Special Needs Education Centre this morning and said that there are studies for special education schools within the state's facilities, but that the TRNC, which was continuing to develop, can increase the opportunities provided by civil society and businesses. Stating that the introduction of a Special Needs Education bill is on the agenda of the Assembly, President Tatar stated that the Presidential Committee for People with Disabilities are continuing their work to address the problems encountered by individuals with special needs.

 

 

OPENING OF MARAŞ

 

Emphasising that the Municipality of Gazimağusa is one of the important municipalities of the TRNC, President Tatar said that he is monitoring the infrastructure works being carried out for the opening of the fenced-off section of Maraş, located on the suburbs of Gazimağusa, adding that he is happy with the progress being made.

 

 

Reminding that the coastline, parks and public areas have been opened, President Tatar stated that the opening of Maraş for visits by the public and tourists has made a great contribution to tourism. Stating that with historical monuments such as Othello Castle, Salamis Ruins, Inner Wall quarter and Namık Kemal Square in Gazimağusa, the President stated that Maraş is a centre of special interest for tourists and that it has promoted itself internationally as a “world brand”. President Tatar said he was happy at being able to see first-hand the ongoing works on site.  Also expressing his pleasure to see that there are visitors to Maraş from various parts of the world, President Tatar said that despite the pandemic period, there have been many visitors to Maraş in the last seven-to-eight months.

 

President Tatar congratulated all municipal employees who successfully continue their work in the presence of Mayor İsmail Arter.



THE VACCINE ISSUE

 

Noting that 50,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine arrived in our country last night from the Republic of Turkey, President Tatar stated that 140,000 doses of the vaccine were previously delivered to our country from the Republic of Turkey and 35,000 doses of the vaccine were received from the EU.

Stating that we have entered the summer season with a vaccination rate of over 20 per cent, President Tatar stated that more vaccines will be sent to the TRNC from the Republic of Turkey in due course.

 

The President added that the “pandemic has been and is well managed in the TRNC compared to many other countries,”  due to  the “sensitivity of our people in adhering to the measures taken”.  He added that he wishes to see the benefits to tourism and the economy as the country continues to depart from the lockdown measures. “I hope that, as we continue to open up, Gazimağusa will also benefit from tourism and that the economy of this region of our country returns to its pre-pandemic levels,” the President said.

 

Stating that the works and investments provide great hope for the future, President Tatar touched upon the subject of the Development Plan and stated that the opened parts of Maraş and Gazimağusa will be evaluated as a whole, and that the zoning and ordinance issues supported by the public and investors can provide a driving force for the economy by meeting on common ground.

 

Gazimağusa Mayor İsmail Arter thanked President Tatar for his visit and briefed him about the work of the municipality.

 

President Tatar later visited Maraş following the visit to the Municipality of Gazimağusa. President Tatar, who inspected the Tea Garden and the public beach due to be opened soon inside Maraş – was briefed about the ongoing work there by Mr Arter.