Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Turkey-TRNC Economic Relations meeting was held by the Turkish Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in Nicosia, capital of Cyprus.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the most concrete indication of how much the TRNC government gives priority to the business world is the participation in today's meeting, “Economy, trade, tourism, education and investment are of course very important but the most important is our brotherhood. You are our partner and our brothers and sisters in all things. North Cyprus is the apple in our eye.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he knows that there are a number of factors linking the two countries and that he knows there is potential to strengthen economic ties. He also emphasized that the Turkish business community wants prosperity for Turkish Cypriots and that the unfair isolation of Turkish Cypriots is slowing this down.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the process of prosperity for the Turkish Cypriots will continue thanks to the hard work and determination of Turkish Cypriot which will in turn benefit the resolution process.

- We will stand with the Turkish Cypriots

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he believes economic reforms which will strengthen the Turkish Cypriot economy and make more investments possible are important. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We, the Turkish business community, will continue to stand by Turkish Cypriots just as we have in the past.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that direct foreign investments are vital for economic development, pointing out that they will always support a permanent resolution process which does not neglect the interests of the TRNC.

Stating that an appropriate climate for investment should be created in the TRNC, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they’ve presented their experiences on this issue as Turkey to government officials and the President in 2002 and that the equivalent of their Foreign Investors Advisory Council should be established.

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that they’ve established the Nicosia Economic Forum, bringing together Greek and Turkey Chambers and Commodity Exchanges Unions to take steps to provide support solutions such as establishing arbitration on trade disputes but were not able to finalize the process.

- Republic of Turkey is sorely needed

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Tufan Erhürman stated that the speakers before him were talking about the Cyprus problem and that he wanted to focus on the word “status quo.”

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot people, unable to come to the point they desire in a socio-economic sense, the status quo also has psychological consequences, Erhürman noted that this is a problem of self-confidence, that they are obliged to overcome this problem together and that the most basic psychological component of being a people is having a sense of, “we can.”

Prime Minister Erhürman emphasized that is only possible by producing success stories, and that they want to create the feeling that, “Turkish Cypriots can do these things.”

Stating, for that, the Republic of Turkey is sorely needed, Erhürman, “Turkey is a window to the world for the TRNC. This is a great chance for Cyprus.”

- TRNC has been under unjust and illegal embargoes for many years

TCCC President Turgaz Deniz stated that the TRNC has been held under unjust and unlawful embargoes for many years and said that the so-called Cyprus problem is being foisted on to the Turkish Cypriot people as if it is their doing and that the basic rights of the Cypriot people are being assaulted while living under embargo.

Deniz stated that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce believes that the Cyprus problem was not only for the Turkish Cypriot people, but indeed for all the peoples of the region, and that they are trying to contribute to the resolution of this problem.

After the meeting, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and TCCC President Deniz signed the “Turkey-TRNC Chamber of Commerce Forum” establishment protocol.

The protocol aims to promote bilateral and multilateral trade and investment, in addition to promoting dialogue in fields of common economic and commercial interests.

The protocol envisions the creation of comprehensive trade and investment facilitation mechanisms, information sharing, training programs, technical delegation visits and conferences, the implementation of joint projects and the development of joint activities.

The meeting was attended by TRNC Prime Minister Flood Erhür financing, Economy and Energy Minister Ozdil Nami, Transport Minister Tolga Atakan and Turkey's Nicosia Ambassador Derya Kanbay, Turkey Chambers and Stock Exchanges Union (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) President Turgay Deniz, HAK Trade Unions Confederation (Hak-İş) President Mahmut Arslan, Public Servants Syndicates Confederation (Memur-Sen) Chairman Ali Yalcin, Turkey Tradesmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK) Chairman Bendevi Palandöken, Turkey Confederation of Trade Unions (TURK-IS) President Ergun Atalay, Turkey Confederation of Employer Associations (TISK) Executive Board Member Erhan Polat, Turkey Public workers Unions Confederation (Turkey Kamu-Sen) President Önder Kahveci which make up the EU - Turkey Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) Turkey Wing, TOBB Board Treasurer Faik Yavuz and TEPAV Director Prof. Dr. Güven Sak as well as related officials attended.