The Cyprus issue, the Isias hotel case, imported meat, the property law, and the success of Buse Savaşkan: the major events of the outgoing year in the TRNC-2024

New Year is a time for summarizing the year. The year 2024 in Northern Cyprus turned out to be very challenging and ambiguous, leaving more questions than providing clear answers to the issues that concern every island resident.

The Cyprus issue – still unresolved.

1. The year started with the appointment of the official representative of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Cyprus. The Secretary-General’s envoy held several rounds of negotiations. Unfortunately, a consensus was not reached after six months, and the diplomat acknowledged that there were no points of contact for resuming dialogue between the sides.

2. During his speech at the 79th UN General Assembly, the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan once again called on the international community to recognize the TRNC. On October 15, a tripartite informal dinner took place in New York between the leaders of the two communities on Cyprus and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Unfortunately, no progress was made again – the dinner once again demonstrated that there are no points of contact between the sides. Meanwhile, in the TRNC, the results of a public opinion poll were announced: 59% of respondents want an agreement to be reached on this issue.

3. In the meantime, the Cyprus issue needs to be addressed: this year, the TRNC celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus peacekeeping operation in grand style. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey adopted a memorandum on the "50th anniversary of the Cyprus peacekeeping operation". The document includes a call for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The TRNC authorities called the adoption of the memorandum an "historical event." The Turkish Ministry of National Defense published a anthem for the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus peacekeeping operation. Watch and listen.

Record agreement with Turkey

4. This year, the Turkish authorities prepared a new financial cooperation program with the TRNC. As a result, a historic economic and financial cooperation agreement was signed between the TRNC and Turkey for 2024. Where will the money go?

Later, the "Presidential Program for 2025" was published in Turkey. How much money will be allocated to the TRNC in the coming year, and what will it be used for?

New ferry: Turkey becomes even closer

5. In Turkish Anamur, a pier for ferries and seaplanes has been put into operation. The port will accept the fastest sea transport between Turkey and the TRNC. The travel time has been reduced to an average of two hours.

How to get to Northern Cyprus by ferry?

Read also: how to buy a ferry ticket to Anamur. Personal experience.

The most important trial of the year

6. In Turkey, the trial over the collapse of the Isias Hotel in Adıyaman, where 72 people died during the February 6 earthquake, lasted throughout the year. In Northern Cyprus, this case received special attention because among the victims were 35 "Champion Angels"—athletes and teachers of Turkish Cypriot origin. The first hearing was held in January, but the trial was repeatedly postponed. The latest, sixth hearing took place on December 24. What decision did the court make, and why did it not satisfy everyone?

Minimum wage increase: good or bad?

7. Turning to internal events on the island: this year, the minimum wage in Northern Cyprus was raised three times—on January 1, May 1, and September 1.

Read more: the history of minimum wage changes in the TRNC

Why a high minimum wage is not always good, how it affected foreigners, and why obtaining a residence permit has become so expensive?

8. Along with the increase in the minimum wage, prices always rise—on everything. Most notably, electricity costs. Electricity tariffs were raised four times this year: January 1, March 1, June 1, and October 1. Here’s a look at the TRNC’s inflation by year-end.

Read also: How to pay for electricity

Union strikes

9. Due to rising prices and worsening economic conditions on the island, unions went on strike throughout the year. Protests were held almost weekly, with the most dissatisfied groups being government employees, teachers, and air traffic controllers. Notable actions included several strikes at cadastral offices in İskele and Nicosia, as well as a large general strike by 32 unions at the end of December.

Real estate and realtor laws

10. One of the most significant changes this year was the introduction of new bills and amendments related to foreigners purchasing real estate. More on the law and comments from the Minister of Interior. Additionally, the TRNC Parliament passed the long-awaited bill on the Realtors Association.

Mass Arrests of Realtors and Property Owners from TRNC in the South

11. The real estate market situation was complicated by numerous arrests of realtors and property owners from TRNC in the Republic of Cyprus. One such episode occurred in early July – a real estate agent from TRNC was arrested at Larnaca Airport. Additionally, in mid-August, another property owner from the northern part of the island was detained at Paphos Airport. He also remains in custody, as do two detained Hungarian nationals.

The TRNC authorities have repeatedly drawn attention to these illegal arrests. This issue has been raised in discussions with UN officials, with the country’s president, Ersin Tatar, calling such detentions "unacceptable." Residents of Northern Cyprus even organized a protest.

12. Meanwhile, by the end of the year, the number of houses for sale in TRNC increased by more than 50%. The total number of properties for sale reached 24,680. Since the adoption of the Real Estate Law in May this year, the number of applications for property purchases has amounted to approximately 6,800.

Russian buyers are leading in the number of applications for purchasing real estate in Northern Cyprus, followed by Ukrainians, Israelis, and Germans.

Migration Amnesty

13. This year, Northern Cyprus implemented a comprehensive immigration amnesty for foreigners staying in the country without permission. It began on August 5 and lasted for 45 days. In total, 7,659 people applied for amnesty, of which 6,165 were approved.

Here’s a guide on how to obtain work permits in TRNC.

Increased Penalties for Traffic Accidents

14. Another significant legislative change: the maximum sentence for fatal traffic accidents in Northern Cyprus has been doubled. What else has changed with this new law? Interestingly, 78% of our readers participating in a poll believe that stricter penalties are fully justified and long overdue.

New License Plates

15. In TRNC, the combinations for vehicle license plates were exhausted. At the end of September, Northern Cyprus began issuing new plates with three letters and three numbers.

Also read: what do the colors of car license plates in Northern Cyprus signify?

Population of TRNC

16. Demographic discussions continue in Northern Cyprus. The TRNC Statistical Institute shared its opinion, stating that the figure significantly differs from previously announced data. Population figures were also calculated using Turkish "waste statistics." Another estimate was provided by Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı. The last census was conducted 13 years ago, in 2011. We also decided to gather opinions from our readers: see the results.

Meat Imports from the Netherlands

17. This year, Northern Cyprus allowed frozen meat imports for the first time. Authorities decided to import meat from the Netherlands. Two batches of meat were delivered, and after inspections, the products were made available for sale. Nearly all of the imported meat was sold out almost immediately.

Also read: Where to find butcher shops in Northern Cyprus?

Investment of the Year

18. A large-scale reconstruction of the sewage main on the main promenade street of Dereboyu took place in Nicosia. The contract cost a record one million euros. The work was carried out in three stages and lasted more than a month.

Alcohol Poisoning of Newborns

19. At the end of October, seven newborn babies were poisoned with alcohol at the Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia. One of the infants died. During the subsequent investigation, five medical staff members were arrested.

Success of a TRNC Athlete at the Olympics

20. The main sporting event of the year was undoubtedly the success of TRNC athlete Buse Savaşkan at the Paris Olympics. Interestingly, her coach is a Ukrainian specialist.

The only athlete from TRNC at the Olympics made it to the finals and finished 10th. Her success was hailed as a historic event. Upon returning to the island, the jumper was welcomed as a national hero: she was received by the country's president, and later awarded the title of "Athlete of the Year."

Main Elections of the Year

21. This year, Northern Cyprus hosted three elections that undoubtedly deserve your attention. On March 15, 2024, the island began a three-day voting process for the Russian presidential election. For the first time in history, Russian citizens living in TRNC were able to exercise their voting rights. How did the residents of TRNC and Cyprus vote?

Additionally, this year Turkish Cypriots could participate in the European Parliament elections. Voting took place on June 9, 2024. A total of 32 polling stations were opened on the island. How did the elections go?

The third significant elections, of local importance, were held in December. TRNC parliament members spent a month electing a new speaker. The incumbent head, Zorlu Töre, even ended up in the hospital due to high blood pressure, and then declared himself the winner without securing the required number of votes. Ultimately, after five rounds and amid much controversy, resignations and re-elections, the new head of the Republican Assembly became former Minister of the Interior, Ziya Öztürkler.

First Visit to Australia and 25 Honorary Degrees for the President

22. Ersin Tatar became the first TRNC president to visit Australia. Over three years, the president made 33 foreign trips. However, this is not the most remarkable fact. During his presidency, Ersin Tatar received 25 honorary doctorates.

Temperature Record

23. This year, a long-standing temperature record was broken in Northern Cyprus. In two municipalities, thermometers reached maximum levels.

Bird Ringing Station and the Largest Rescued Turtle

24. The first bird ringing station in Northern Cyprus was opened, specifically for World Migratory Bird Day. In just one month, the number of birds ringed reached 500, and then 1000.

It should also be noted that this year, a record-breaking 90-kilogram green turtle was rescued in Northern Cyprus. This is the largest specimen of the species ever encountered by local wildlife protectors. In total, around two thousand hatchlings were released into the sea this year.

Also read: where to find turtles in Northern Cyprus?

Major Discoveries of the Year and Plans for the Future

25. Despite all the challenges, several significant facilities were opened in Northern Cyprus this year, with even more planned. At the beginning of the year, the largest mosque on the island, Suat Günsel, was opened in the TRNC, and the main gift for the TRNC on Republic Day was the opening of the «Girne Military Hospital, December 24, 1963». The construction of new buildings for the parliament and the presidential palace continues.

Additionally, contracts were signed for the construction of the first phase of the mausoleum of the first president of the TRNC, Rauf Raif Denktaş, a tender was announced for the construction of a state hospital in Güzelyurt, and the construction of a new state laboratory was started. Negotiations began for the installation of a bicommunal solar power plant, and the second stage of the construction of a new state theater was completed. Well, life on the island in the upcoming 2025 year will be even more exciting!

The Cyprus-Faq news service wishes you happy holidays, a Happy New Year, and Merry Christmas! Until we meet again! And, as tradition goes, take care of yourselves and don’t deprive yourselves of anything!