MARAŞ (VAROSHA) WILL CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY AND TOURISM  Emphasising that the contribution Maraş,  a world trademark destination,  could make to the country’s economy and tourism,  President Tatar said more than 130,000 people have visited Maraş since it was opened despite the Covid-19 pandemic and despite the fact that it has not been reconstructed.   Stating that the TRNC's Maraş initiative was made in accordance with international law for the development of the country’s economy , President Tatar stated that the property issue can be resolved by exchange, compensation and restitution.  President Tatar stated that documents exist which show that the majority of the properties in Maraş belonged to the former Foundations, but that these properties were distributed to foreigners by the British Administration and added that Maraş could be opened to construction in accordance with international law. President Ersin Tatar pointed out that whilst fighting for the management of energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean and for the rights of the TRNC in the Blue Homeland, at the same time, they are also evaluating the land and real estate in the TRNC and how these can contribute to the TRNC economy. CONFIDENCE IN HEALTH SECTOR HAS INCREASED  Referring to the importance of attempts to compensate for the negativities arising from isolation, President Tatar stated that vaccination is a hope for the pandemic and he hoped that the economy will reshape and recover after the vaccination.  President Tatar said that the TRNC has been managing the pandemic process well, with the measures taken in both public and private hospitals.  Noting that other sectors will also be positively affected by the increased confidence in the health sector, President Tatar stated that the importance given to health has increased due to the Covid-19 epidemic and that countries with strong capacity in the health field have become more attractive countries, the President added that in particular, the confidence in the TRNC health system of the Turkish Cypriots living in the UK  has increased following the problems they have been experiencing  in the UK. “ÓUR HEART BOND IS STRONG” The President emphasised the strong emotional bond between Turkey and TRNC and drew attention to the importance of developing further the economic relations between the two countries.  Indicating that there are attractive real estate deals at the TRNC coastline for people from Turkey, the President stated that with its institutions and organisations, the TRNC is always ready to meet the expectations.  "A SETTLEMENT THAT IS BASED ON SOVEREIGN EQUALITY TO PROTECT THE TURKISH-GREEK BALANCE” Pointing out that the importance of the developments in the eastern Mediterranean, President Tatar emphasised the need to maintain a proper balance in the region between Turks and Greeks and stated that in this framework it is vital for the settlement to be based on sovereign equality, adding that Turkey is the leading country of the region. Emphasising the importance of Cyprus for Turkey’s security as well as the survival of the Turkish Cypriots, President Tatar underlined the need to act according to national interests and not according to daily economic expectations.  President Tatar set out the dangers for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots harboured in a federal solution and stated that there are two States on the island, which cannot be denied.  The President underlined that two States coexisting side-by-side is the basis for a possible settlement adding that lasting peace can only be achieved on this basis and continuation of Turkey’s guarantee as a guarantor country. President Tatar drew attention to the importance of consultations with universities and stated that he consulted with the rectors in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus recently and told them that he will be evaluating their proposals on the issue of defending the national cause, with a view to taking the issue further.  "WE SHOULD HAVE OUR SOVEREIGNTY" Underlining that the existence of two separate peoples in Cyprus is now accepted by the international community, President Tatar pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people should defend their sovereignty. The President stated that with out of ordinary steps being taken in Maras, and with the support of guarantor Turkey, the region’s leading country, the TRNC’s status is becoming more significant in the region.   Expressing his pleasure in coming together with a distinguished institution such as Ankara University, President Tatar thanked the officials of Ankara University for their interest and added that he would be pleased to receive their contribution, their opinions and proposals.