10.05.2026 14:32
Olgun Amcaoglu, Minister of Economy and Energy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, who attended the general assembly organized by USKAİD and USKEF and evaluated the agenda topics, addressed both the calls regarding the TRNC flag in the Beşparmak Mountains and the impacts of global economic developments on the TRNC. While reacting to discussions over the flag and national values, Amcaoglu stated on the Haberler.com broadcast that crises in the world economy have increased inflation and costs on the island.
The broadcast on Haberler.com, organized under the coordination of USKAİD and USKEF General Coordinator Arif Ekşi, was attended by TRNC Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu, USKAİD President Attorney Selman Yaray, USKEF President Dr. Umut Elbir, and RİBİAD President Erol Aykut. During the broadcast, both the general assembly and the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean were evaluated.
“THIS IS A MATTER OF BROTHERHOOD”
Responding to the question, “How do you evaluate the general assembly?” TRNC Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu said, “If we look at what the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has experienced so far, seeing the highest level of effort from the valuable scientists and legal experts at the general assembly honored us. In other words, we had the chance to witness their heartfelt support once again, not just through our own words about the importance of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but through these sincere emotions. This made us very happy. In particular, we had the opportunity to showcase the representation of the Turkish Republic together with them at this general assembly. This was a sign of brotherhood, something that came from the heart, and I believe it made us all happy.”
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE BETTER PROJECTS”
USKEF President Dr. Umut Elbir stated, “First of all, we had a successful meeting. We held the elections for both USKAİD and USKEF. We also thank our minister who came from the Republic of South Cyprus. Many of our deputies and ministers attended and supported us. I hope we will continue with better things, better projects, and better developments in the future.”
“WE AIM TO PROVIDE BENEFICIAL SERVICES TO OUR COUNTRY”
USKAİD President Attorney Selman Yaray said, “I also wish everyone a good day. I thank our esteemed minister, Mr. Olgun Amcaoğlu, our Minister of Economy and Energy, for joining us. We have been conducting a series of meetings for some time. We have a mission to fulfill and are carrying out important academic work. Our minister supports us in every matter here. We want to provide services that are beneficial to our country. I thank our minister once again.”
“THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAD EVERYTHING FOR UNITY AND SOLIDARITY”
RİBİAD President Erol Aykut stated, “First of all, today’s general groups were very positive in the presence of our esteemed minister. There was everything for unity and solidarity. All the necessary feelings for being strong were present. All the efforts for being strong together were highlighted. We discussed all the details of our work regarding the Republic of Northern Cyprus and our NGO activities. We had that opportunity. We were really happy that our esteemed minister was also with us in these efforts. We also made good promises to each other about working together always.”
“ONE MUST KNOW ONE'S PLACE”
The Philenews newspaper, published in the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, called for the removal of the TRNC flag in the Beşparmak Mountains. Evaluating the call, TRNC Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu said, “First of all, I want to share a very beautiful saying of Mevlana. When asked what he knew, Mevlana said, ‘I know my place.’ He said, ‘That’s enough.’ Of course, this is a matter of boundaries—making that statement and fulfilling that demand. No one can make such a demand, not even for a single particle of the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It is out of the question.”
“THERE CAN BE NO DEBATE OVER THE FLAG AND NATIONAL VALUES”
“While discussing what the two communities can achieve together through the goodwill mission of our President’s meeting with the relevant head of state, it is impossible for a community leader who clearly knows or should know the meaning of the colors, the crescent, and the star on a country’s symbol to make such a demand. Therefore, when such serious issues and bi-communal projects that the two countries can undertake together should be discussed, if you act like thrusting a dagger into people’s hearts or souls, it certainly does not show that you are good. So, no one has the right to say anything about a country’s flag or national anthem. Just as we do not say anything about the flags in Southern Cyprus, not just the flag but also the Greek flag, the flag of the Republic of Cyprus, and what is said on those matters, that status is not something to be touched upon either.”
“RESPECT FOR THE SYMBOLS OF EVERY STATE IS NECESSARY”
All community leaders, including former leaders of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and especially during the terms of previous presidents before the current president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, have experienced these processes.
The flag located at the foothills of the Beşparmak Mountains is seen as a symbol of Turkishness. This flag, which is one of the most important symbols of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish world, is situated at the foothills of the Beşparmak Mountains. It is visible both night and day. Because the love for the homeland, expressed with the understanding that “What makes flags flags is the blood on them; land is homeland if someone dies for it,” reveals the meaning of this symbol.
“GLOBAL ECONOMY AND INFLATION IMPACT ON THE TRNC”
Not only the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but also the global economy faces major difficulties, and in the upcoming period, various challenges and damages will be experienced in the environment of economic contraction and inflation. We also faced significant repercussions on inflation. Supply and energy costs arising from potential issues in the Persian Gulf and subsequently in the Bab-el-Mandeb, along with rising freight and insurance costs, especially for oil, have led to reflections on product prices in the supply chain and price increases, nearly doubling the cost of living in all countries. I won’t say ‘if fate permits’; unfortunately, we will have to resign ourselves.
Therefore, we, as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, are making our preparations. For about one and a half months, we have been applying subsidies for fuel supply to our country from Turkey. As in the Republic of Turkey, costs and losses amounting to billions of Turkish liras have occurred in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus during this process.” he said.