Mayor of the Turkish Municipality of Nicosia Met with the Ambassador of Spain

The Mayor of the Turkish Municipality of Nicosia (LTB), Mehmet Harmandji, met with the Ambassador of Spain to Nicosia, Gabriel Ferran Carrion. The meeting discussed issues related to relations with the European Union, the Cyprus issue, the implementation of the "Green Line" Regulation, and provisions for financial assistance.

According to the mayor, the European Union should play a more active role in the development of the Cypriot-Turkish community, its integration with the EU, and the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

In response to Ambassador Carrion's question about the financial assistance provided by the EU to the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Harmandji noted that the Turkish Municipality of Nicosia had made great efforts to maximize the benefits of EU grants. However, grants provided in accordance with the Regulation on Financial Assistance were limited, and priorities were determined by the European Commission.

According to the mayor, various institutions of the Cypriot-Turkish community should compete with each other for this limited opportunity. Mehmet Harmandji also noted that there were political and bureaucratic problems at times related to projects for which funds were allocated. One example was the Hamitkoy sewerage project, which was resolved in 4 years due to the persistent stance of the LTB and the diplomatic efforts it undertook.

Drawing attention to the decision taken by the Council of Ministers of the European Union regarding the Turkish Cypriot community in 2004, Mehmet Harmandji emphasized that the Commission should play a more active role in ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community, its socio-economic development, integration with the EU, and the resolution of the Cyprus problem.