Nicosia Yunus Emre Institute’s "Working Meeting on 2023 Operation Strategy and Planning" was held on August 18-19, 2022, in Nicosia, the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The program held at Social Sciences University of Ankara (ASBU) TRNC Education Campus was attended by Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, Member of the Board of Trustees Ali Osman Kurt, ASBU Northern Cyprus Rector Enver Arpa, representatives from the Embassy of Turkey in Nicosia, students and guests.

The program started with the opening speeches of ASBU Northern Cyprus Rector Enver Arpa, Yunus Emre Institute Board of Trustees Member Ali Osman Kurt, and Yunus Emre Institute Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş.

Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr.  Ateş made evaluations before the opening of the program and stated that TRNC is very valuable for Yunus Emre Institute.

Stating that as Yunus Emre Institute, they establish ties between the people in the countries where they are located and Turkey, Ateş said that cultural ties are among the most important relations that have been passed down to generations for centuries.

WE WANT TO RAISE A YOUTH IN TRNC THAT IS CONNECTED TO ITS ROOTS AND ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO PRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND SCIENCE

Stating that the main purpose of Yunus Emre Institute is to get to know the texture, culture, people, and lifestyle of the countries they visit and to develop strategies accordingly, Prof. Dr. Ateş said as follows:

"We will discuss issues such as our 2023 plans in the TRNC, how TRNC academics, thinkers, and cultural people want to establish a connection with Turkey, and the development of cultural activities that will increase the qualifications of people both in Turkey, in the TRNC and the world. We will conduct a two-day study in the TRNC to move forward together, and then we will develop planning and programs in accordance with these studies. Hopefully, we hope for a study that can be beneficial for the people living in the TRNC."

Pointing out that especially young people are very important to them, Ateş said, "We want to raise a youth in the TRNC that is connected to its roots and attaches importance to production, development, and science."

Ateş emphasized the importance of consulting with competent people in the TRNC on issues such as Turkey's contribution to cultural and other activities in the TRNC, the realization of academic exchange programs, and increasing cultural interaction between the two countries.

"WE CAME TO UNDERSTAND AND ACT TOGETHER, NOT TO EXPLAIN OR IMPOSE ANYTHING"

Making evaluations about the Working Meeting on 2023 Operation Strategy and Planning of the Nicosia Yunus Emre Institute, Yunus Emre Institute President Ateş said:

"A road map will emerge. Just as the Yunus Emre Institute is developing its activities here in line with the wishes of the TRNC people, it will give us a leap and an opportunity to redevelop for 2023."

Emphasizing that the TRNC has shown special interest as an institution, Ateş continued as follows:

"(With the Turkish Cypriots) We have a common history, past, present and future. We are the introducers of Turkish culture. We want to connect and get to know people in line with Yunus' vision. Next year will be the product of these plans. We will discuss how we can be effective on the ground also in rural areas. We will discuss how to unite our own children, youth, women, and men with this cultural mission of Turkey and the cultural characteristics developed by the TRNC. We came to understand and act together, not to explain or impose anything. There is a cultural fabric that this place (TRNC) has developed for centuries. We are trying to understand this texture and turn it into sound and breath together in Turkey, Europe, and different geographies."

Following a presentation by Abdullah Aktaş, Nicosia Yunus Emre Institute Coordinator, providing information about the 2022 activities of the center in Nicosia, other suggestions and information transfer speeches were made.

Nicosia Yunus Emre Institute 2023 Activity Strategy and Planning Working Meeting continued with the discussion section where Cypriot academics, educators and NGO representatives presented their opinions and suggestions.  Former Minister of National Education and Culture Mr. İsmail Bozkurt, Prof. Dr. İsmail Bozkurt, Prof. Dr. Ulvi Keser, Former Headman of Kalavaç Village Ömer Meraklı, Head of the Faculty of Education of the CIU Assoc. Dr. Hatice Kayhan, Antiquities and Museums Department Specialist Ahmet Üngüder, TRNC CB Disabled Associations Coordinator Ahmet Akdeniz, Presidential NGO Coordinator Latif Akça, President of the Azerbaijan-Cyprus Friendship Society Orhan Hasanoğlu, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Youth and Sports Nicosia Coordinator Mithat Tekçam, Hala Sultan Theological College Director Himmet Turgut, Arın İsmetoğlu, İsmihan Yorgancı from Serdarlı Health and Culture Association also contributed to the working meeting in the negotiation section with their opinions. The meeting ended with the closing session, where Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş made a general evaluation.

The second-day session of the meeting was held on August 19, 2022, at the Nicosia Yunus Emre Institute. In 2023, Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş chaired the meeting where consultations were held on the possible activities to be carried out. YEI Board of Trustees Member ASBU Vice Rector Ali Osman Kurt, ASBU TRNC Rector Mr. Enver Arpa, Yunus Emre Institute Vice  President Ahmet Naim Flowers, Head of Cultural Promotion and Projects Department Babür Turna and Nicosia Yunus Emre Institute Coordinator Abdullah Aktaş were also present at the meeting.

Prof. Dr. Ateş, who came to TRNC on August 18-19, 2022, to make official contacts and carry out studies, visited the Nicosia Yunus Emre Institute and made examinations.

YUNUS EMRE INSTITUTE PRESIDENT PROF. DR. ATEŞ VISITED KKTC PRESIDENT TATAR

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar received Yunus Emre Institute President Şeref Ateş and the accompanying delegation on August 22, 2022.

According to the written statement made by the Presidency, Tatar, in his speech at the reception, said that the Turkish Cypriot people started to make their voices heard in different countries through the Yunus Emre Institute.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people continue to progress in every field despite the isolation, Tatar stated that he participates in the activities carried out by Yunus Emre Institute as much as possible.

Tatar stated that the TRNC is a state and that the other side ignores this and noted the followings:

"We are faced with a mentality that has committed all kinds of attacks against the Turkish Cypriots. There is no effort on the other side to create a sustainable structure. They want to reduce us to a minority on this Island. We are strengthening our own structure with the support of the Republic of Turkey. The participation of Turkish Cypriot youth in different activities will provide them with morale and motivation."

"THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY ALWAYS SUPPORTS US"

Underlining that they are proud of the TRNC youth, Tatar stated that despite all the difficulties, there is a people working and struggling to promote the TRNC and that success has been achieved in every field.

Tatar said, "Motherland Turkey supports the Turkish Cypriot people to reach a better point in the activities it organizes in different Turkish states. I have always defended our independence. The Republic of Turkey always supports us."