LEFKOSA - Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) signed on Saturday economic & financial cooperation additional protocol in Lefkosa.
TRNC Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener and TRNC Economy Minister Dervis Kemal Deniz signed the protocol.
The protocol foresees that 100 million USD would be added to 450 million USD financial support to TRNC which was included in the economic & financial protocol signed between the two countries in 2003. It also noted that the protocol will be extended till 2006.
Delivering a speech in the signing ceremony, TRNC Prime Minister Soyer stated that TRNC would continue its cooperation with Turkish government.
Soyer stressed that Turkey was the most important political partner and supporter of TRNC in the solution process of Cyprus issue.
Sener noted that they discussed TRNC economy with PM Soyer and other officials, stating, ''Cyprus is a national cause for Turkish Republic. We hope that economic performance of TRNC would further improve.''
Noting that Turkey and TRNC had tight cooperation in economic, financial and other issues, Sener stressed, ''this close cooperation will also continue from now on.''
Sener said that they hoped that unjust isolations imposed on TRNC would be lifted soon, indicating that necessary diplomatic activities were carried out regarding this issue.
-PROTOCOL-
The protocol which is named as ''Reconstruction and Economic Development Program'' was signed in addition to ''Economic and Financial Cooperation Protocol'' signed between Turkey and TRNC in April, 2003.
The protocol says, ''Economic and Financial Arrangements Program Adjusted to Vision of New Period was started to solve problems stemmed from isolations and lack of public management, to increase employment, and to ensure development. It was put into effect in 2004. However, the Program could not be implemented on required level because envisioned laws could not be adopted due to referendum, elections and Parliament arithmetic.''
''On the other hand, Greek Cypriot side joined the EU although a lasting solution could not be found to Cyprus question. This situation necessitates new arrangements to relations of Turkey and TRNC with the EU. A reconstruction is necessary by taking into consideration the reality that economy of TRNC will compete with southern economy in case of a possible solution in the future. Thus, TRNC economy should be ready to this competition milieu and also economic relations between Turkey and TRNC should be taken up according to new conditions,'' noted the protocol.
''In spite of all problems, flow of people, property and service between TRNC and southern Cyprus was liberalized on a limited scale in the last two years. This liberalization brought a momentum to economic development,'' said the protocol.
The protocol says, ''thus, it is important to eliminate public deficiencies as well as obstacles before production and export, to support production sectors which have high competition power, to present a wide and qualified service in areas of tourism, higher education and banking, and to provide a sustainable economic growth.''