The President of the TRNC Tatar: "The TRNC is the gateway of the Turkic world to the Mediterranean Sea."
The President of the TRNC Tatar: "The TRNC is the gateway of the Turkic world to the Mediterranean Sea."
Tatar spoke at a meeting with representatives of the Turkish business community in Belgium at the Brussels office of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said: "The TRNC, an independent Turkish state, is the gateway of the entire Turkish world to the Mediterranean with its ports, the efficiency of airspace, the value of the blue homeland and the capabilities of the logistics base."
Tatar spoke at a meeting with representatives of the Turkish business community in Belgium at the Brussels office of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
Stating that the TRNC has its own political problems, Tatar said: "There are some problems because the world does not fully recognize us and there is still an embargo on us, but despite this, there has been continuous economic growth and development since 1974."
"We have more than 20 5-star and more hotels"
Tatar noted that the tourism sector is particularly well developed in the TRNC, and said: "Our bed stock has exceeded 30 thousand places. We have more than 20 hotels of the 5-star category and above."
Recalling that in the past there were very few flights to the TRNC, Tatar said: "Now there are 12 flights a day from Istanbul to Ercan Airport, and 6 flights a day from Ankara."
Pointing out that there are frequent flights to the TRNC from airports in various provinces of Turkey, Tatar said that currently there are 2 million arrivals and 2 million return flights per year, and that he expects this figure to reach 6-7 million in 10 years.
The airport's capacity has been increased
Stating that they have developed Ercan Airport, Tatar stressed that the annual capacity has been increased from 2 million to 10 million, and that in a short time this capacity can be increased to 15 million due to allocated reserves.
Tatar explained that in addition to tourism and education, agricultural activities have also developed with the arrival of water in the TRNC.
Stressing that the electric car named "Gunsel" was produced at the Middle East University in TRNC, Tatar said that significant progress has been made in software research.
Tatar said: "TRNC has become a valuable brand. We have three universities - the Eastern Mediterranean University, the Middle East University and the Cyprus International University, which are among the top 1000 universities in the world."
"Despite the unfair practices of the other side, we are taking our place as an independent Turkish state," Tatar said, stressing that peace, tranquility and security have reigned in Cyprus for 50 years.
Pointing to the importance of international investment in economic development, Tatar said: "The TRNC will grow and develop further if the isolation and embargo are lifted."
Stating that the TRNC is a very profitable center of attraction due to its climate, air, green, blue and geographical location, Tatar said: "Today, the TRNC, which is an independent Turkish state in the Eastern Mediterranean, is the gateway of the entire Turkic world to the Mediterranean Sea with its ports, efficiency in airspace, the value of the blue homeland and its ability to be a logistical base."
"We always support the TRNC"
Turkish Ambassador to Brussels Bekir Uysal said: "As Turkey, we always support the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriots. We are closely following the developments around the Cyprus issue, our national cause."
"A just, lasting and sustainable solution is possible only with an approach based on the realities of the island," Uysal said, adding that the key to the solution would be the re-registration of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Uysal said: "We strongly support the vision of a two-state solution put forward by the TRNC presidency. It is necessary to end the isolation, as soon as possible accept the status that Turkish Cypriots have already earned, fulfill the promises made in the past, and remove unfair and illegal obstacles."
Explaining that the decision on the island of Cyprus will also contribute to regional stability and prosperity, Uysal said that Turkey, as a homeland and guarantor, will continue to fulfill its historical obligations to protect the freedom, law and welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people with sensitivity.
The event was attended by the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the European Union (EU), Ambassador Faruk Kaymakji, representative of the TRNC in Brussels, Ambassador Aida Soylu, Consul General of Antwerp Ismail Sefa Yug, Consul General of Brussels Onur Sevim and the Association of Industry and Business of Turkey (TÜSIAD) TOBB, representatives of the Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen (MUSIAD) attended the event, Assembly of Turkish Exporters (TIM), Economic Development Fund (IKV), Council for Foreign Economic Relations (DEIK), Turkish Airlines (THY), Turkish Private Sector Associations (TÖSED), the European Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) and many business people.