TRNC proposes turning Famagusta port into base for Turkic countries

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has proposed transforming Famagusta port into a strategic base for members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Erhan Arıklı, Minister of Public Works and Transport of the TRNC, revealed this plan in an interview with Turkish media, Caliber.Az reports.

He noted that the TRNC had applied for Famagusta port to be included in the OTS's Twin Ports program as an observer a year ago. The proposal was recently discussed at an informal summit of OTS member states in Shusha, Azerbaijan.

Arıklı mentioned that the OTS's "Twin Ports" program currently includes eight ports, with efforts underway to include Famagusta as the ninth. He emphasized the increasing role of maritime transport in global trade and highlighted the potential benefits of integrating Famagusta port into the OTS program for all member states and the TRNC.

The minister articulated the TRNC's aspiration to establish Famagusta as a hub for Turkic states, enabling countries like Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye to utilize the port as a strategic asset for their maritime trade activities. He underscored the strategic and political advantages this initiative could bring to the TRNC.