The maritime phase of the Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gönyeli-2024 Search and Rescue Exercise was successfully carried out on Wednesday bringing the two-day exercise to an end.
Before the execution of this phase, President Ersin Tatar was briefed on its details.
Highlighting the significance of the exercise, Tatar stated, “Alongside our rights, laws, and security in the Blue Homeland, we are also strengthening our search and rescue capabilities.”
In his statement following the briefing, Tatar emphasized the efforts to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people in the Eastern Mediterranean, referred to as the Blue Homeland, while also enhancing humanitarian search and rescue capabilities.
He thanked Turkish officials and TRNC security authorities, noting that the exercise demonstrated the strength of search and rescue capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Tatar reiterated that while strengthening the TRNC, they will continue to develop capabilities for security, migration issues, national interests, law, and humanitarian efforts.
He underscored that the independent Turkish state of the TRNC is growing stronger with Türkiye’s support in every field.
The Commander of the Turkish Coast Guard Forces, Rear Admiral Ahmet Kendir, also commented on the exercise.
He stated that it aimed to identify search and rescue needs that might arise at sea and on land, improve the training levels of the search and rescue organizations of both countries and enhance mutual coordination and cooperation.
Kendir emphasized that the exercise demonstrated to both national and international audiences that search and rescue activities could be successfully conducted by Türkiye and the TRNC in a coordinated manner under all sea and weather conditions for 24 hours.
Turkish Deputy Minister of Interior Mehmet Sağlam highlighted the importance of the exercise, where civilian and military elements from both countries came together.
He affirmed Türkiye’s steadfast presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and emphasized the critical importance of quick response to emergency scenarios.
