‘Government’ complex in north ‘not a sign of Turkey seeking control’

‘Prime minister’ in the north Unal Ustel said on Wednesday that the over a hundred million euro controversial ‘government’ complex that is being built is to show further institutionalisation of the ‘TRNC’, and that Turkey does not mean to annex them.

He added that their ‘government’ had made this request to Turkey, and that Turkey had obliged.

“With the support of our motherland Turkey, our efforts to establish ourselves in the world and to institutionalise and develop in this land will continue. This new investment is an indication of that,” he said.

Commenting on widespread condemnation of the project in the north, Ustel said that it was “unacceptable” and that the people opposing this have a “hidden agenda”.

He said: “In recent days, I see that some separatist attitudes have started to be exhibited again, using this extremely important project for our country, the construction of which has begun. It is extremely grave and sad for this country to see the opposition parties in the parliament join these separatist and divisive attitudes and approaches.”

Earlier in the day, the opposition parties in the north announced that they will meet on Thursday to discuss further measure to be taken against the construction of this complex.

Parties, engineers, and others have opposed the construction, saying it is ‘disrespectful’ towards people going through financial difficulties as the project is estimated to cost approximately €155 million.