TRNC Celebrates 42nd National Day in Doha; Mission Chief Highlights Education, Investment, and Strong Qatar Relations

rki.news
By Haroon Rashid Qureshi

Doha, Qatar – The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus marked the 42nd anniversary of its founding with a National Day Reception hosted by the TRNC Trade and Tourism Office in Doha. The ceremony welcomed ambassadors, diplomats, Qatari officials, business representatives, and community members to celebrate this important milestone and strengthen ties with Qatar.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Huriye Hançerli Gürdal, Chief of Mission of the TRNC in Doha, warmly greeted the attendees and expressed her sincere appreciation for their presence. She extended special thanks to the representatives of the State of Qatar, acknowledging the enduring friendship and mutual respect that continue to strengthen relations between the two nations, and highlighted the shared vision for cultural, economic, and educational collaboration.
Mrs. Hançerli reflected on the TRNC’s journey since 15 November 1983, highlighting its growth into a young, fully functional modern state. She noted the country’s democratic foundation and its progress across education, tourism, culture, and science. She described the TRNC as a safe and welcoming destination, closely connected culturally to many friendly nations, including Qatar, and praised the nation’s resilience and innovative spirit.
She emphasized the TRNC’s emergence as a regional higher education hub. Hosting more than 20 internationally accredited universities and over 100,000 students from 150 nations, the country fosters tolerance, global vision, and cultural richness. She also expressed pride in seeing TRNC graduates contributing successfully across different sectors in Qatar, reflecting the strong people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Turning to economic opportunities, Mrs. Hançerli outlined the country’s attractiveness to investors from the Middle East and Europe. The TRNC provides a supportive environment for joint ventures and offers incentives for foreign investment, particularly in real estate, luxury housing, agriculture, and tourism. A strong banking system and skilled workforce further enhance the business landscape and overall investor confidence.
Tourism remains a key pillar, with the country offering a rich mix of multicultural heritage, historic sites, natural beauty, and culinary experiences. Year-round tourism opportunities, from sea and eco-tourism to cultural and health tourism, continue to attract families and visitors from Qatar and beyond.
She highlighted major infrastructure achievements supported by Türkiye, including the Water Supply Project of the Century, delivering 75 million cubic meters of water annually via an 80-kilometer pipeline beneath the Mediterranean Sea. She also noted the 2023 inauguration of New Ercan Airport, one of the region’s largest, enhancing connectivity with a 30-aircraft capacity and the ability to serve 10 million passengers each year.
Mrs. Hançerli emphasized the TRNC’s growing international engagement, including observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization, and the Organization of Turkic States. Participation at all levels, including presidential, reflects the TRNC’s commitment to regional cooperation, diplomacy, and global dialogue.
She concluded by echoing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call at the UN General Assembly for international recognition of the TRNC. She expressed deep gratitude to Türkiye for its unwavering support, praised the strong bilateral partnership with Qatar, and thanked all the guests for honoring the celebration with their presence, reinforcing the bonds of friendship and collaboration.