Speaking on Friday in Lefkoşa before a meeting with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Mehmet Ali Talat, Boyner stated that as a representative of the business world in Turkey she would give her full support to resolving the issues between the KKTC and Greek Cyprus.
Boyner, saying that as TÜSİAD they’ve supported the EU accession process for the last 15 years, stressed that “the Cyprus problem has never been something that we’ve overlooked. In much of our work we know that political gridlock brings about economic gridlock, and our reports show this clearly happening.”
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association Chairwoman Ümit Boyner said they have faith Cyprus, along with northern Cyprus, has the potential to become an economic power in the region following an anticipated resolution to Cyprus issue |
“As the global economic structure is transforming, Cyprus, along with northern Cyprus, has the power to become an economic power in the region. We fully support the continuing efforts to find a resolution to this issue,” Boyner said. The determination and confidence of the KKTC to resolve the issue is something that TÜSİAD wants to see continue, Boyner stated. She added that the steps taken would help draw a roadmap regarding the political measures that can be taken, along with a plan for an economic model and structure for Cyprus.
Turkish Cypriot Turkish Businessmen’s Association (İŞAD) President Metin Yalçın, also joining TÜSİAD’s delegation, stated that the two sister organizations would continue to draw up economic and political solutions to the situation. The two organizations worked together between 2002 and 2004 to find points of resolution for the two sides to the Cyprus debate.
Yalçın emphasized the need for a political solution with a strong economic foundation that it can build on. He added that his organization would be speaking with TÜSİAD on designing this foundation.
Boyner, answering a question from the press regarding the presidential election in the KKTC, stated that “we came here to support the efforts to resolve this issue and to find avenues where we can support this process. We support a resolution; we don’t hold an opinion on the election nor do we support a particular candidate.”
