TİKA’s 62nd International Office Inaugurated in Nicosia

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency’s (TİKA) 62^nd international office was inaugurated in Nicosia, the capital of the TRNC.

The inauguration ceremony of TİKA’s Nicosia Program Office was attended by Prime Minister Tatar, the TRNC’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay, Minister of Tourism and Environment Ünal Üstel, Minister of National Education and Culture Nazım Çavuşoğlu, other ministers, the Republic of Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Deputy Minister Serdar Çam, Turkey’s Ambassador to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri, TİKA’s Deputy President Serkan Kayalar, politicians, military officers, and representatives of a large number of institutions and organizations.

Prime Minister Tatar underlined the importance of the launch of TİKA’s operations in the TRNC and stated that the agency would add value to the country with its knowledge and experience. Prime Minister Tatar said, “The TRNC has become a strategic hub in the Eastern Mediterranean in 45 years. Its status in the Eastern Mediterranean is critical for Turkey’s tranquility, security, and peace. Therefore, all of us are responsible for strengthening the TRNC and increasing its prosperity.” Tatar noted that they would protect and develop the heritage of Cypriot Turks through cultural projects, which would also contribute to tourism, the TRNC’s leading sector.

 – “TİKA has expanded its area of activity with the inauguration of the Nicosia office”

Expressing his happiness to be in the TRNC on the occasion of the inauguration of TİKA’s office, Minister Ersoy said, “TİKA turns the humanitarian and conscientious principles of the Turkish people, which are based on their national and moral values, into tangible activities and projects.” Ersoy underlined that TİKA carries out tangible activities based on Turkey’s human-oriented policies across a wide area from Balkans to Central Asia, from Africa to Latin America. He said, “Today, TİKA takes pride in its approximately 30,000 projects implemented all around the world. The success it has achieved with its leading and original projects and strong corporate structure has brought an international prestige. This prestigious force expands its area of activity with the inauguration of its Nicosia office in the TRNC.” Minister Ersoy reminded that TİKA had previously carried out some activities in the TRNC, and noted that it would be more active in the country through its newly-inaugurated office.

– “Turkey’s support will strengthen our international status”

Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu stated that the inauguration of TİKA’s office was a source of pride and that they collaborate with Turkey to develop the TRNC, ensure its economic development, and make it more beautiful. Noting that the inauguration of TİKA’s office was a critical step for the fulfillment of their needs, Çavuşoğlu said, “We are happy for our people. Our cultural heritage will be protected for future generations. Our culture will be promoted to the world. Turkey’s support will strengthen our international status.”

Ambassador Başçeri reminded that all institutions and organizations in Turkey were in close cooperation with the TRNC. Başçeri noted that as an institution that has gained experience across a wide area for more than 30 years, TİKA’s operations in the TRNC would yield positive results. He said that he felt lucky in this sense as a representative of Turkey. At the end of the speeches, the office was inaugurated with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Later, Prime Minister Tatar and officials took a tour of TİKA’s Nicosia Office.