President Ersin Tatar participated in the "Günaydın (Good Morning) programme with Çiğdem Aydın” on Gündem Cyprus Web TV
“Our healthcare system has made huge progress during the pandemic period”
President Ersin Tatar participated in the "Günaydın programme with Çiğdem Aydın” on Gündem Kıbrıs Web TV and made statements about the state of his health, the efforts on forming a new government, the Maraş issue, the Cyprus issue and the country's agenda.
President Ersin Tatar, who tested positive for Covid-19 last week, stated that he was continuing to work in isolation and was “feeling very well”. Noting that his test result last night was negative, but that a second PCR test this morning returned as positive, the President said he would continue to isolate himself and take the appropriate tests.
Stating that he is using the isolation period as an opportunity to read books, he added that he was continuing to hold online and telephone communication with officials and people. “My isolation is not hindering my responsibilities and keeping my contacts with people,” he said. “I am keeping with the developments in the country and around the world. I wish to convey my gratitude to everyone for their good wishes to me during this period.”
Making evaluations about the pandemic, President Tatar said that they have been making an intense effort since the start of Covid-19 to address the issues in the health service which have come about due to the pandemic. “We built the Emergency Hospital in two months, with the support of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” the President said. “This hospital has brought a huge benefit to the health sector in our country. It is also a very important step in paving the way for investments in the TRNC, after the pandemic. Our healthcare system has made huge progress during this period.”
President Ersin Tatar said that he has handed over the mandate of forming the government to Prime Minister and the Chairman of National Unity Party (UBP) Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, adding: “The election results are extremely positive from my point of view. Smear campaigns were directed against me following the presidential election. However, despite these campaigns, the general election results indicate that the two State settlement model in Cyprus is supported by the public.”
He said the Turkish Cypriot people have again “endorsed our policy which is in favour of a settlement that is based on two sovereign States co-existing side-by-side in a cooperative relationship”.
“We are determined to explain this justified approach which takes lessons from the past that is aimed at securing sustainable peace and stability in Cyprus and the wider region,” the President added. “It is also very important to establish a Turkish-Greek balance not only on the island but also in the eastern Mediterranean. The general election results have reflected the political will of the people. Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu has held various consultations in an effort to expedite the process [of forming a new government]. I believe that he will attempt to form the government in a short period of time.” The President stated that it is important for “consistent” messages to be communicated to the world in relation to the national cause as the President, Parliament and government. He said such an image will “provide confidence” to the international community
“Legal arrangements should be made for electricity authority (KIB-TEK) and collections should be set aside”
President Tatar also made evaluations about the electricity and gas crisis, stating: “We are a country with the most efficient sunlight in the world. We need to rapidly expand the use of solar energy. The current power plant allows for only a certain capacity in the use of solar energy. If there was an interconnection system, however, we could benefit from this much more. The new government should therefore show consideration to this issue.”
Reminding that KIB-TEK has made losses over many years, President Tatar added: “Currently, electricity is being sold below the cost of production and a price increase is inevitable. Two matters are on the agenda here. The first, is that our people should try to reduce energy consumption. The second, is that the structure of the electricity board should be looked upon in the long term. Solar energy technology should be increased and serious studies should be carried out on the interconnection system. I hope that these works will be realised in the upcoming period and we will successfully implement them.”
Pointing to the importance of making legal arrangements in KIB-TEK, President Tatar underlined the importance of collecting revenue owed to KIB-TEK and the need to put into place new legal arrangements. “If the needed political will is not put forward to address these two issues – particularly the collection of revenues issue. . .the system could collapse,” the President said.
“I believe the local elections will be held in June”
Referring to the local elections, President Tatar said: “According to the Constitution, there should be an election in June. The general view in the Presidential elections was that the elections were postponed for six months because of the pandemic. At that time, we received the opinion of the Attorney-General’s Office, and the Presidential elections were postponed for six months. . .due to the extraordinary conditions that prevailed at that time. However, it is not same for the local elections, which I believe will be held in June”.
President Ersin Tatar, who tested positive for Covid-19 last week, stated that he was continuing to work in isolation and was “feeling very well”. Noting that his test result last night was negative, but that a second PCR test this morning returned as positive, the President said he would continue to isolate himself and take the appropriate tests.
Stating that he is using the isolation period as an opportunity to read books, he added that he was continuing to hold online and telephone communication with officials and people. “My isolation is not hindering my responsibilities and keeping my contacts with people,” he said. “I am keeping with the developments in the country and around the world. I wish to convey my gratitude to everyone for their good wishes to me during this period.”
Making evaluations about the pandemic, President Tatar said that they have been making an intense effort since the start of Covid-19 to address the issues in the health service which have come about due to the pandemic. “We built the Emergency Hospital in two months, with the support of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” the President said. “This hospital has brought a huge benefit to the health sector in our country. It is also a very important step in paving the way for investments in the TRNC, after the pandemic. Our healthcare system has made huge progress during this period.”
President Ersin Tatar said that he has handed over the mandate of forming the government to Prime Minister and the Chairman of National Unity Party (UBP) Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, adding: “The election results are extremely positive from my point of view. Smear campaigns were directed against me following the presidential election. However, despite these campaigns, the general election results indicate that the two State settlement model in Cyprus is supported by the public.”
He said the Turkish Cypriot people have again “endorsed our policy which is in favour of a settlement that is based on two sovereign States co-existing side-by-side in a cooperative relationship”.
“We are determined to explain this justified approach which takes lessons from the past that is aimed at securing sustainable peace and stability in Cyprus and the wider region,” the President added. “It is also very important to establish a Turkish-Greek balance not only on the island but also in the eastern Mediterranean. The general election results have reflected the political will of the people. Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu has held various consultations in an effort to expedite the process [of forming a new government]. I believe that he will attempt to form the government in a short period of time.” The President stated that it is important for “consistent” messages to be communicated to the world in relation to the national cause as the President, Parliament and government. He said such an image will “provide confidence” to the international community
“Legal arrangements should be made for electricity authority (KIB-TEK) and collections should be set aside”
President Tatar also made evaluations about the electricity and gas crisis, stating: “We are a country with the most efficient sunlight in the world. We need to rapidly expand the use of solar energy. The current power plant allows for only a certain capacity in the use of solar energy. If there was an interconnection system, however, we could benefit from this much more. The new government should therefore show consideration to this issue.”
Reminding that KIB-TEK has made losses over many years, President Tatar added: “Currently, electricity is being sold below the cost of production and a price increase is inevitable. Two matters are on the agenda here. The first, is that our people should try to reduce energy consumption. The second, is that the structure of the electricity board should be looked upon in the long term. Solar energy technology should be increased and serious studies should be carried out on the interconnection system. I hope that these works will be realised in the upcoming period and we will successfully implement them.”
Pointing to the importance of making legal arrangements in KIB-TEK, President Tatar underlined the importance of collecting revenue owed to KIB-TEK and the need to put into place new legal arrangements. “If the needed political will is not put forward to address these two issues – particularly the collection of revenues issue. . .the system could collapse,” the President said.
“I believe the local elections will be held in June”
Referring to the local elections, President Tatar said: “According to the Constitution, there should be an election in June. The general view in the Presidential elections was that the elections were postponed for six months because of the pandemic. At that time, we received the opinion of the Attorney-General’s Office, and the Presidential elections were postponed for six months. . .due to the extraordinary conditions that prevailed at that time. However, it is not same for the local elections, which I believe will be held in June”.