UPDATE - TRNC: Erdogan attends opening of emergency hospital

UPDATES WITH REMARKS OF TRNC PRESIDANT, TURKISH HEALTH MINISTER

By Havva Kara Aydin and Yasemin Kalyoncuoglu

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) - The president of Turkey on Sunday attended the opening ceremony of the Lefkosa Emergency Hospital in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Speaking at an inauguration ceremony of the hospital, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "The most important sign of solidarity with the TRNC is this [Lefkosa Emergency Hospital] emergency hospital."

"We wouldn't have completed this hospital in as short a time as 45 days if our hearts were not united with the TRNC," he added.

Citing Turkey's support for the TRNC, Erdogan pointed out that Ankara had provided 149 million Turkish liras ($19 million) in aid to the country during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"We came to our brothers' aid in Northern Cyprus from the very beginning of the pandemic. We provided all kinds of support in the field of health," he said.

He went on to say that a 500-bed hospital would also soon be opened in the TRNC.

Erdogan was visiting the TRNC on the occasion of the country's 37th foundation anniversary.

- Health system strengthening

"The hospital is ready, the health system has become stronger, the TRNC continues to become stronger in front of the eyes of the world," said the TRNC's President Ersin Tatar underlining that the Lefkosa Emergency Hospital was completed in two months on Erdogan's instruction.

Tatar said they could always receive support from Turkey for any needs in the TRNC.

- 'Solidarity with TRNC Turkey's priority'

In his speech at the ceremony, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic continued to claim lives without slowing, and that many countries in trouble in terms of hospitals, intensive care, trained health staff and technical infrastructure.

As in every field, it is Turkey's priority to be with the TRNC in health, and to be in solidarity with the people of Cyprus, said Koca.

He underlined that the hospital was not designed only for the pandemic, but as a permanent facility and would continue to serve outside of disease outbreaks, earthquakes and other disasters.

Cyprus has been divided into a Turkish Cypriot government in the north, and Greek Cypriot administration in the south since a 1974 military coup aimed at Cyprus' annexation by Greece.

Turkey's military intervention as a guarantor power in 1974 put an end to years of persecution and violence against Turkish Cypriots by ultra-nationalist Greek Cypriots.