President Mustafa Akıncı has drawn attention to the importance of addressing domestic issues and problems while exerting efforts to settle the Cyprus Problem.
In his address to the nation marking the beginning of celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, President Akıncı said the country was going through a difficult time due to the fall in the value of the Turkish Lira against foreign currencies.
He said that urgent measures or steps were needed to be taken not only to relieve the public but to make sure that their hopes for the future are not eroded.
“We, as the state, the government, parliament and the people, all need to work in close solidarity and unity with Turkey to overcome this difficult period” Akıncı stressed.
Touching upon the importance of the higher education and tourism sectors for the economy, the President said that developments or success in both sectors could not only be measured with numbers.
He said that raising the quality of education and services offered to those who would come to study or visit the country was vital.
Drawing attention to other problems experienced in the country such as fatal traffic accidents, the President said that efforts to improve the country’s infrastructure as well as to focus on improving public transport should be the state’s and government’s priority.
The President pointed out that all domestic problems experienced in the country could only be solved through public reforms in the field of health, agriculture and the workplace.
Also touching upon the Cyprus Problem, the President stated that time for open-ended negotiations was over as stated in the UN Secretary General’s latest report.
He said that the fact that this had started to be included in UN reports was a pleasing development.
“In addition to this modality, the Turkish Cypriot side remains committed to past convergences which state that island’s single sovereignty will emanate from the political equality of the two sides. We are ready to establish a new federal partnership on the basis of the political equality of the two constituent states. Establishing the conditions that will enable both sides to live in equality, freedom and security again depends on the political will of the two sides” said Akıncı.
He concluded his speech by stating that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to adopt a constructive stance while protecting its rights at the same time.
BRT
