Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.10.12) reports that the groundbreaking ceremonies for transferring water with undersea pipelines from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus were simultaneously held on Saturday in Anamur, Turkey, and occupied Vasilia village, in the area of Keryneia.
Addressing the ceremony in Anamur, the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Besir Atalay said that they prepared a project for transferring water and electricity together from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus. Atalay noted that soon a “protocol” will be signed between the two “countries” and the groundbreaking ceremony will be held [on the issue of electricity as well].
Addressing the same ceremony, Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister of the regime, said that the “project of the century”, as he described it, will cost one billion and 117 million Turkish liras (TL).
Self-styled ambassador to the occupied part of Lefkosia, Halil Ibrahim Akca, so-called ministers of finance, economy, labor and tourism, Ersin Tatar, Sunat Atun, Serife Unverdi and Unal Ustel, as well as Turkey’s Minister of Forests and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroglu participated in the ceremony in Anamur.
In his statements, Atalay alleged that the project “is one of the projects which show in the best manner, that north Cyprus and the island of Cyprus cannot exist, cannot live without Turkey”. He argued that with this project “important messages” are given to the Greek Cypriot side, which, he claimed, is reminded of the fact that its nearest neighbor is Turkey and should see the benefits of a peaceful solution, “instead of planning a future by eliminating the existence of the Turkish Cypriots”.
“The transfer of electricity from Turkey to the island will be secured”, he said noting that this was something announced for the first time. He added: “The decision was taken, the projects are ready to a great extend. I have talked with the energy ministers of both countries. The protocols will be signed the soonest between the countries and, God willing; soon we will hold the groundbreaking ceremony for this as well…”
Irsen Kucuk said that they have launched preparations for transferring 200 megawatt of electricity from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus.
The Turkish Minister of Forests and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroglu said that he will visit the occupied area of Cyprus after 10-15 days and launch an action plan on the water systems and the issues of forestry, olives, citrus fruits, almonds and carobs.
According to Kibris, self-styled minister of agriculture, Ali Amcaoglu, self-styled minister of education, youth and sports Mutlu Atasayan and Gulin Kucuk, “prime minster” Kucuk’s spouse, attended the ceremony held in occupied Keryneia area.
Meanwhile, Kibris reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu has described as “milestone” the project of transferring water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus. In statements during another ceremony in which he participated, Eroglu thanked Prime Minister Erdogan and everybody who contributed to this project.