Financial cooperation protocol to be signed in Ankara

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and the accompanying government delegation will be going to the Turkish capital Ankara this afternoon to sign the latest financial cooperation protocol with Türkiye.

Speaking at Ercan Airport before departing for Ankara, Prime Minister Üstel stated that the visit was taking place upon the invitation of Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and emphasized that such agreements are signed routinely each year, typically in March or April.

He noted that since taking office, his government has signed three financial protocols totaling approximately ₺40bn, through which major investments and long-standing infrastructure projects—some dating back 15 years—have been completed.

Üstel stressed that the 2026 protocol would focus largely on infrastructure and economic support measures, particularly in response to regional tensions in the Middle East and their economic impact.

He said the agreement would include support for key sectors such as industry, tourism, and small businesses, through a combination of direct assistance and long-term, low-interest loans aimed at sustaining economic stability.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that new steps would be taken in the energy sector, describing it as one of the country’s ongoing challenges despite recent progress.

Üstel announced that the protocol would cover a budget of approximately ₺24-₺25 bn, adding that the funds would be used swiftly upon return to the country to support the economy and ease the effects of global economic difficulties.

On the second day of the visit, Prime Minister Üstel is scheduled to meet with Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.

Regional developments, the Cyprus issue, and strategic cooperation are expected to be on the agenda.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the Ankara visit had originally been planned for yesterday but was postponed to today due to the recent strikes in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.