President Ersin Tatar travels to İstanbul
“Nothing will ever be the same again. . .as of now, there are two periods: Before and after February 6, 2023. We will manage this painful period with deep sorrow.”
President Ersin Tatar departed from Ercan Airport at 11.40am to pay an official visit to the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to express the condolences of the Turkish Cypriot people following the recent catastrophic earthquakes in Türkiye.
President Tatar, who will meet with President Erdoğan and return to the country at 11.00pm, held a press conference at Ercan Airport prior to his departure.
Expressing that he will pay a visit to President Erdoğan to convey his condolences on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, President Tatar said that as the people of the TRNC, they have always supported Motherland Türkiye in a spirit of solidarity.
Stating that TRNC emergency units had been dispatched to the earthquake hit region of Türkiye to assist local and international search and rescue efforts, President Tatar said within this framework, the legal basis are being prepared in order to conduct inspections of schools, public and other buildings as part of necessary measures.
Emphasising that a great disaster has taken place, President Tatar said: "Nothing will ever be the same again. . . as of now, there are two periods: Before and after February 6th. We will manage this painful period with deep sorrow.” The President added that they will work on a road map as part of preperations in case of a possible earthquake in the TRNC with the experience and support of the Republic of Türkiye.
Expressing that very successful search and rescue efforts are being carried out in Adıyaman, President Tatar reiterated that they are focused on strengthening the Civil Defence Organisation and the Security Forces (GKK) and enhancing the capabilities of these institutions.
Stating that the earthquake was “unprecedented which is being described as the catastrophe of the century,” President Tatar said: “May all those who lost their lives, our champion angels and teachers, rest in eternal peace and may the injured have speedy recovery.”
At the press conference, President Tatar was accompanied by Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre and the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu.