Statement by President Tatar on Abdülhamid Han Drill Ship
President Ersin Tatar has said that following the developments in the eastern Mediterranean with the start of service of the Abdülhamid Han drill ship, the status of the TRNC has gained more importance in the eastern Mediterranean.
The President, who visited Abdülhamid Han drill ship and the Karaman Governor, was briefed about the capabilities of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) operated fourth drill ship in Türkiye’s fleet, which is also the seventh-generation vessel capable of a maximum drilling depth of 12,200 meters (40,026 ft).
President Tatar also saluted the Cyprus veterans and signed the Governor’s honorary book.
In his address during the visit, President Tatar expressed his pleasure for visiting Karaman and underlined the close relations and unbreakable bond that exists between TRNC and Türkiye. “Our relations will continue to develop and will be maintained in the best way possible through the unity of our hearts,” he added.
Underlining the importance of the policies pursued by the Republic of Türkiye regarding the Mediterranean Sea, President Tatar said: “With the departure of the Abdulhamid Han Drill Ship, one more step has been taken towards discovering natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus also has a role and is of significant geostrategic importance in this regard. . .because, after all, the TRNC is a Turkish State in the eastern Mediterranean.”
President Tatar, in reference to his meeting with the President of Azerbaijan İlham Aliyev the previous night, added: “As I stated during my meeting with the President of Azerbaijan İlham Aliyev and other heads of state and officials, we are a Turkish state in the eastern Mediterranean, and also a part of the Islamic world. By maintaining the best relations with the Republic of Türkiye, our rights and interests in the eastern Mediterranean shall be protected and the importance of our State will continue to increase with time. All of these developments are indeed giving us strength.
“The Republic of Türkiye is always with the TRNC”
Pointing out that the inhumane isolation and injustices are continuing to be imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people through no fault of their own, President Tatar continued: "These injustices continue in the sense of an embargo. Thanks to the support of the Republic of Türkiye, the TRNC is continuing to grow and develop, albeit step-by-step. Therefore, the message we give to the world on every platform is that the TRNC has stood by its justified cause and will continue to do so. The Republic of Türkiye is always by the side of the TRNC. The eastern Mediterranean, with its rising status and importance, also strengthens the TRNC economically. We see that the people of the TRNC are successfully dealing with tourism, student flow and trade, despite the negativities of not being recognised in the world.”
"We could not participate in the Islamic Solidarity Games because we are observer members"
President Tatar stated that the TRNC youth could not attend the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games held in Konya and said: "We are observer members in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Due to political reasons, we are not full members. We could not participate in the games because we are observer members. Of course, our young people were very disappointed. Yesterday, with the support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, I made various contacts and conveyed this problem. Naturally, the TRNC and our people want our youth to participate in every platform. It is the most natural right. Sports mean brotherhood, solidarity and beauty. I want to call out to my own people too. My hope is that with these contacts I made and the support of Türkiye, the Turkish Cypriot youth will take their place in the next games which are planned to be held in 2025. This is our expectation and hope."
"We were all proud of the magnificent opening ceremony"
Regarding the opening ceremony of the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games held in Konya, President Tatar said: "We were all proud of that magnificent opening ceremony. That splendour and organization on that field... All this is of course Türkiye's greatness and power. From here in Karaman, I would like to once again salute and congratulate all institutions and organisations of the Republic of Türkiye who organised those beautiful performances last night.”
President Tatar also had an opportunity to talk with the Cyprus veterans he met at the Governor's Office.
President Tatar was accompanied by Governor Tuncay Akkoyun, AK Party Konya Deputy Orhan Erdem, AK Party Karaman MPs Recep Şeker, Selman Oğuzhan Eser, CHP Karaman Deputy İsmail Atakan Ünver and Mayor Savaş Kalaycı.