Nicosia, August 3, 2025 – The Europe Today: Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz met with President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Saturday at the Presidential Complex in Nicosia, where the two leaders discussed advancing bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
In a statement following the meeting, Vice President Yılmaz said they reviewed “steps to further strengthen Türkiye–TRNC relations in every field,” including regional developments, digital transformation in public services, and expanded economic cooperation.
The visit coincided with August 1st commemorations, marking the 454th anniversary of the conquest of Cyprus, as well as the founding anniversaries of the Turkish Resistance Organization and the TRNC Security Forces Command, celebrated collectively as the Day of Social Resistance.
As part of his visit, Yılmaz also participated in a police service vehicle handover ceremony, where he reaffirmed Türkiye’s enduring support for the TRNC under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“Türkiye continues to stand by the Turkish Cypriots in all areas—education, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, energy, and agriculture,” Yılmaz stated. He emphasized the value of mutual support in public services, disaster preparedness, and institutional development.
During the handover ceremony, Yılmaz announced the deployment of 29 new vehicles, including 24 police service vehicles—12 of which were provided under the Financial Support Program—and 5 fire trucks. The package also includes 19 types of technical equipment, fingerprint scanners, mobile systems, IT infrastructure, and motorcycle police uniforms.
“A central migration control unit has been established, and with the integration of GöçNet and six mobile migration vehicles, TRNC border security is now significantly enhanced,” Yılmaz noted, adding that efforts against irregular migration are now more effective and aligned with Türkiye’s national strategy.
Later, Vice President Yılmaz inaugurated the TRNC Earthquake Monitoring and Assessment Center, built in collaboration with Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). He praised the center as a milestone in seismic safety, noting its nationally developed software and data-driven infrastructure for early warning, damage assessment, and crisis management.
“Both Türkiye and the TRNC are located in seismic zones. Managing all phases of an earthquake—from preparedness to response—is critical, and Türkiye’s expertise will be fully shared with the TRNC,” he stated.
TRNC President Ersin Tatar, also speaking at the center’s opening, underlined the importance of institutional preparedness and expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s contributions. He also welcomed the possibility of cross-island cooperation in disaster response, saying:
“We are open to working with the Greek Cypriot Administration in all areas, especially in response to natural disasters. This center is a valuable asset and a clear example of the support Türkiye continues to provide.”
The visit and ceremonies mark another step in the deepening Türkiye–TRNC partnership, with a focus on shared development, security, and resilience.
