Denktas also said that it has become a necessity for locally produced products to be sold to Europe via Turkey. Speaking on a program on “BRT” last night, Denktas said that he had found the opportunity to hold contacts on the “2016-2018 government programs” whilst in Ankara and that he had a productive meeting with the Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci. Explaining that they had exchanged views as to how the “TRNC” economy could be developed, Denktas said that this could only be done through economic integration. “I also found the opportunity to discuss the issue of halloumi/hellim with Zeybekci. I told him it is time halloumi/hellim production in Turkey to be moved to the TRNC (editor’s note: in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyrpus”, he said. Also touching upon the issue of incentives, Denktas said that he had told the Turkish Economy Minister that incentives are needed to be given to Turkish businessmen who want to invest in the “TRNC” but that they will need to have a partnership with “TRNC citizens”.
Responding to a question about the water transfer project, Denktas said that it is not clear yet as to who will be managing the water. He warned that unless the issue is clarified soon there is a strong chance that Turkey can step in and decide to manage the water itself.