Turkey and Turkish Cypriot authorities sign additional fibreoptic internet protocol

Ankara, Turkey. The Turkish government and Turkish Cypriot authorities on Wednesday signed an “additional protocol” intended to address shortcomings in the initial agreement on bringing fibreoptic internet to the north.

The original agreement was ratified by the Turkish Cypriot legislature in February despite opposition from political parties and trade unions.

Additional protocol

Turkish Cypriot ‘transport minister’ Erhan Arikli said the shortcomings of the original protocol would be corrected through an additional agreement, as had been stated during parliamentary debate and in media appearances.

He said the protocol was prepared after lengthy negotiations and with consideration for stakeholders’ sensitivities. It was signed in Ankara by Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz.

Arikli said the agreement would support the government’s vision of Cyprus as an information island.

Project aims

Yilmaz described the fibreoptic internet agreement as a strategic development initiative intended to reinforce the TRNC’s digital sovereignty, improve its economic strength and strengthen its ties with the world.

He said the additional agreement would strengthen the project’s implementation framework.

Ustel described the project as a strategic investment forming the basic infrastructure for the country’s digital transition. He said it would affect public services, education, health, tourism, trade and finance, while supporting new-generation technology and the investment environment.

Cost concerns

The details of the additional protocol have not been made public.

The original agreement faced strong opposition in Cyprus after its estimated cost to the Turkish Cypriot taxpayer rose from €26 million to €110 million in its final version.