Prime Minister Ersan Saner returned to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Tuesday after completing his contacts in Turkey.

As part of his contacts in Ankara, Saner came together with Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

The two men held a joint press conference after their meeting.

Speaking first Turkish Vice President Oktay said that Turkey wants to see a progressing Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that is self-sufficient and confident.

Speaking at the joint news conference at the presidential complex Fuat Oktay said there are “a few points” that his country always emphasizes economic and development cooperation with the TRNC.

“We desire a progressing TRNC that is self-sufficient, stands on its feet with self-confidence, can produce added value with its industry, agriculture and production besides tourism, has completed the structural reforms needed for its realization and whose decision-making mechanisms work in the most effective way. In this direction, we said that we, as Turkey, will do whatever we have to do, and we reiterate this will here today,” Oktay said.

“We will continue to create a much stronger TRNC together which will carry Turkey-TRNC cooperation and brotherhood to a much further level,” he added.

Oktay also noted that he had a comprehensive meeting with Saner on the common agenda.

“We have put forward our solution proposals by comprehensively addressing the projects carried out in the TRNC and the developments in the political and economic fields. We also had the opportunity to go through the ongoing projects.”

The vice president said they evaluated in particular the actions agreed with the 2021 Cooperation Protocol, as well as its shortcomings and the point reached.

Regarding the solution of the Cyprus Problem, Oktay said, “The Greek Cypriot side should stop seeing themselves as the sole owner of the island..

He stressed that the Greek Cypriot side did not give up trying to disguise the federation model that they rejected for years.

“The Turkish side no longer has time to waste on empty rhetoric and negotiations with an uncertain end. It is futile to seek solutions within the parameters of the UN that are outdated and do not reflect the consent of both parties,” he said.

Oktay went on to say that this is now a “struggle for survival, independence and the future” of the Turkish Cypriot people and the TRNC.

Prime Minister Ersan Saner for his part said that the 2021 economic cooperation protocol signed with Turkey was progressing positively.

He said that the work they had achieved in the last eight months was worthy of praise and had won the appreciation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Providing information on ongoing projects such as the construction of a new 500-bed general hospital and the transformation to e-state services, Saner said that the TRNC was literally transformed into a worksite as work to repair or build new roads were continuing.

On the pandemic, Prime Minister Ersan Saner pointed out that Turkey had donated 543,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines but complained that vaccine coverage was still well below the desired target.

He said that efforts were underway to encourage the public to get vaccinated, particularly those in the 19-39 age groups.

Regarding the Cyprus Issue and the Eastern Mediterranean, Saner said that they, together with Turkey will continue to defend the Turkish nation’s rights and interests.

He also said that Turkey will continue to carry out hydrocarbon activities in its own licensed areas.

On the Cyprus Issue, Saner highlighted the importance of Turkey’s support to the Turkish Cypriot side’s efforts to reach a two-state solution based on sovereign equality.

“We shall not forget your support to the Turkish Cypriot side’s position in favour of a two-state solution that emerged following 50 years of failed attempts to reach a federal settlement,” he said, adding that the TRNC will continue to pursue game-changing policies as it has done with the fenced-off city of Maraş.