In a show of deepening political and economic solidarity, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is paying a high-level visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), underscoring Ankara’s continued commitment to the island’s Turkish Cypriot community.
Speaking at Ercan, Prime Minister Üstel said that Türkiye-TRNC relations were stronger than ever.
The Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz for his part said that Ankara’s unwavering support to the TRNC and Turkish Cypriot people will continue.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz arrived in Lefkoşa on Friday for a one-day official visit, where he was welcomed at Ercan Airport by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.
The two leaders held a joint press conference following their talks, highlighting the strength of bilateral ties, current joint projects, and the TRNC’s long-term development goals.
Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Üstel said Türkiye–TRNC relations are stronger than ever, with cooperation reaching a historic peak since his government took office. “Our partnership is based on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision. Türkiye’s unwavering support is one of the clearest signs of this brotherhood,” he said.
Üstel highlighted the nearly 21 billion TL in funding provided by Türkiye under the 2025 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement, saying the TRNC had already begun using it to modernize public infrastructure, expand services, and increase employment. “This agreement is more than financial support; it is a comprehensive development roadmap that strengthens our institutions and secures our future,” he said.
He also emphasized the TRNC’s ongoing commitment to the two-state vision based on sovereign equality and equal international status. “This visit is a powerful message to the world that we are determined to pursue our rightful place with confidence and clarity,” Üstel added.
Vice President Yılmaz echoed those sentiments, describing every visit to the TRNC as a step toward deepening mutual solidarity. “Türkiye sees the peace, prosperity, and security of the Turkish Cypriots as inseparable from its own,” he stated.
He criticized recent actions by the Greek Cypriot administration aimed at undermining the TRNC’s economy, warning that “Türkiye will not stand idly by while political motives are disguised as legal measures to damage the TRNC.” Yılmaz said such actions are incompatible with the spirit of cooperation and will not go unanswered.
Yılmaz also noted that his visit includes meetings with TRNC leaders and site inspections of ongoing and upcoming projects financed by the record-high economic cooperation package. He reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to diplomacy and peace but underlined the importance of national resilience in an increasingly unstable global environment.
After his press conference at Ercan Airport, Yılmaz travelled to Güzelyurt, where he was briefed on the Cold Storage and Integrated Facilities Project and met with local youth at the Güzelyurt Municipality.
Later, he will received information on the Middle East Technical University’s North Cyprus Campus and visit the ODTÜ Kalkanlı Technology Valley to learn about its strategic goals, startup support initiatives, and collaboration with academia and industry.
He will also take part in a live broadcast on BRT as part of his visit to the TRNC.
He will meet with government official in the afternoon before attend the graduation ceremony at the Mediterranean Karpasia University.
BRT
