ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener left for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday to evaluate the results of economic and financial cooperation protocol which had been signed between Turkey and the TRNC in April.
Sener held a news conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure.
Sener said his visit would last till Wednesday, stating that he would meet with TRNC President, Prime Minister and Cyprus Turk Peace Forces Commander.
Recalling that he had paid a visit to TRNC together with a delegation between April 17-20, 2003, and that a three-year protocol envisaging economic and financial cooperation between the two countries was signed during the visit, Sener said urgent economic measures program started to be implemented in TRNC.
Sener said he visited TRNC almost every month following the protocol signed in TRNC, adding that, ''this indicates the importance attributed to TRNC economy, developments here and relations with TRNC.''
Sener said TRNC would use 450 million U.S. dollars loan till 2005, stressing that, ''TRNC put into practice urgent economic measures program in this respect. Reciprocal cooperation of the governments and countries add important potentials to participating countries in this period when globalization reaches such dimensions. Cooperation and solidarity between Turkey and TRNC continue within this framework.''
Pointing out that there were important developments in TRNC economy, Sener said economic growth increased by 6.9 percent in 2002, and that 5.4 percent growth was estimated in 2003.
(AY) 07.12.2003