President Ersin Tatar, after having completed his contacts in Türkiye returned to the island.
“An agreement, on developing a mechanism for search and rescue, has been reached”
President Ersin Tatar, who travelled to Ankara upon the invitation by President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, delivered a speech at the Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (TDT) titled "Disaster Emergency Management and Humanitarian Aid". President Tatar also visited the earthquake area in Hatay and Iskenderun and inspected the container settlement area “Champion Angels Village” in Iskenderun named in memory of Gazimağusa Türk Maarif College volleyball team players who lost their lives in the tragic earthquake.
In his press statement upon arrival at Ercan Airport, President Tatar briefed the press about his visit to Türkiye, particularly on the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Turkic States and his visit to the area affected by the earthquake.
President Tatar, who attended the summit in Ankara with Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, reminded that the TRNC with its Constitutional status, is admitted to the Organisation of Turkic States as a member state with an observer status at the meeting which took place in Samarkand on November 11, 2022. President Tatar pointed out that they have taken their place in the organisation for the first time with this meeting.
The President stated that during the meeting held in Ankara, the representatives of the member countries of the Organisation of Turkic States conveyed their condolences for the earthquake in Türkiye and the message of unity and solidarity was expressed for healing the wounds.
President Tatar said that at the summit, an agreement has been reached to develop a mechanism for search and rescue and assistance for earthquakes and natural disasters with a protocol signed by the member states. The President explained that it was indicated in the speeches and evaluations made at the summit that Türkiye, under the leadership of President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, puts forth the readiness as a strong state to take up the endeavours to heal the wounds and return to normal life.
Noting that the Turkish states have supported this process, President Tatar said in his speech at the summit, he conveyed his wishes of condolences and that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to stand by Türkiye.
President Tatar highlighted that Security Forces Command, Civil Defense Organisation, fire department, municipalities and special search and rescue teams, contractors and business people are still in the disaster area and the operational activities still carry on.
During his visits to Hatay and Iskenderun, President Tatar who inspected the container city being constructed in the name of "Champion Angels", said the Turkish Cypriot people will always be with the Anatolian people in all these processes.
An agreement in the island can only be reached with the acceptance of the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people and their equal political status, the President said. He added that esteemed members of the Organisation of Turkish States should provide their support in this struggle because the Turkish Cypriot people are the frontline guards in the Eastern Mediterranean and an inseparable part of the Turkish world.
Mentioning his bilateral contacts in Ankara, President Tatar said he explained their struggle and expectations from the Turkish states during these visits. "I indicated that the isolations, embargoes and outdated practices are no longer acceptable and that the stance of the invaluable members of the Organisation of Turkic States play important role in alleviating them, and the support of the Turkic States will strengthen us” he said.
President Tatar stated as part of his visit to Hatay region with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, he visited the AFAD Center and the tent city in Antakya, talked with the people of the region and conveyed greetings of the Turkish Cypriot people. He also stated that they inspected the work of the teams on site and thanked them.
Expressing that they later moved to Iskenderun and visited an AFAD Centre, a tent city and the Champion Angels Container City, which is being established with the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot Solidarity Platform and the government's guidance, President Tatar said that they had the opportunity to make an assessment with the governors and other officials.
Expressing that they had the opportunity to observe the importance of this container, President Tatar stated that 100 containers have been placed so far and 500 more containers will be sent. President Tatar once again thanked the Turkish Cypriot Solidarity Platform and those who contributed to the construction of the containers.
In his press statement upon arrival at Ercan Airport, President Tatar briefed the press about his visit to Türkiye, particularly on the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Turkic States and his visit to the area affected by the earthquake.
President Tatar, who attended the summit in Ankara with Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, reminded that the TRNC with its Constitutional status, is admitted to the Organisation of Turkic States as a member state with an observer status at the meeting which took place in Samarkand on November 11, 2022. President Tatar pointed out that they have taken their place in the organisation for the first time with this meeting.
The President stated that during the meeting held in Ankara, the representatives of the member countries of the Organisation of Turkic States conveyed their condolences for the earthquake in Türkiye and the message of unity and solidarity was expressed for healing the wounds.
President Tatar said that at the summit, an agreement has been reached to develop a mechanism for search and rescue and assistance for earthquakes and natural disasters with a protocol signed by the member states. The President explained that it was indicated in the speeches and evaluations made at the summit that Türkiye, under the leadership of President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, puts forth the readiness as a strong state to take up the endeavours to heal the wounds and return to normal life.
Noting that the Turkish states have supported this process, President Tatar said in his speech at the summit, he conveyed his wishes of condolences and that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to stand by Türkiye.
President Tatar highlighted that Security Forces Command, Civil Defense Organisation, fire department, municipalities and special search and rescue teams, contractors and business people are still in the disaster area and the operational activities still carry on.
During his visits to Hatay and Iskenderun, President Tatar who inspected the container city being constructed in the name of "Champion Angels", said the Turkish Cypriot people will always be with the Anatolian people in all these processes.
An agreement in the island can only be reached with the acceptance of the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people and their equal political status, the President said. He added that esteemed members of the Organisation of Turkish States should provide their support in this struggle because the Turkish Cypriot people are the frontline guards in the Eastern Mediterranean and an inseparable part of the Turkish world.
Mentioning his bilateral contacts in Ankara, President Tatar said he explained their struggle and expectations from the Turkish states during these visits. "I indicated that the isolations, embargoes and outdated practices are no longer acceptable and that the stance of the invaluable members of the Organisation of Turkic States play important role in alleviating them, and the support of the Turkic States will strengthen us” he said.
President Tatar stated as part of his visit to Hatay region with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, he visited the AFAD Center and the tent city in Antakya, talked with the people of the region and conveyed greetings of the Turkish Cypriot people. He also stated that they inspected the work of the teams on site and thanked them.
Expressing that they later moved to Iskenderun and visited an AFAD Centre, a tent city and the Champion Angels Container City, which is being established with the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot Solidarity Platform and the government's guidance, President Tatar said that they had the opportunity to make an assessment with the governors and other officials.
Expressing that they had the opportunity to observe the importance of this container, President Tatar stated that 100 containers have been placed so far and 500 more containers will be sent. President Tatar once again thanked the Turkish Cypriot Solidarity Platform and those who contributed to the construction of the containers.