Based on this information, write a new short title in English: Prime Minister Üstel took the floor on the Prime Ministry budget… “No penny of the state was spent on the Congress” – BRTK

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel responded to the criticism about the increase in the Prime Ministry budget for 2024 and said, “No state institution has been spent on the Congress. “I will not allow this.” he said.

Üstel noted that the increase in representation and hosting expenses was due to the increase in guests coming to the country and mutual visits after becoming an observer member of the Organization of Turkish States, and that they supported this.

Stating that relations with Azerbaijan have developed in different areas, Üstel noted that for the first time, citrus fruits were exported to Azerbaijan from TRNC with health documents and customs clearance, and added that aluminum exports continue.

Stating that the 2025-2029 Development Plan is ready and will be shared as soon as possible, Üstel explained that the plan was prepared with population projection and data received from all institutions.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel took the floor after the budgets of the Prime Ministry and affiliated institutions were discussed in the General Assembly and responded to the criticism of the opposition MPs.

– “Despite all the negativities, the budget was increased by 70 percent”

Prime Minister Üstel noted that they listened to all the criticisms and that they would take them into account and complete the deficiencies. He also stated that they have been working for the comfort and happiness of the people since the day they came to power, and that they will continue to do so.

Noting that as of 2020, economies experienced contractions as a result of developments such as the pandemic process, the Russia-Ukraine War, the February 6 Earthquake, the Israel-Palestine War and the spread of conflicts to the region, Üstel stated that some economic difficulties arose in the country within this framework and inflation increased.

In this context, Üstel noted that services were continued thanks to the protocols made with the Republic of Turkey in cases where local resources were not sufficient, and stated that there was a 70 percent increase in the budget in such negativity, and the Prime Ministry and its institutions also received their share.

Üstel said that the increase in hosting and representation expenses came to the fore in the criticisms made against the Prime Ministry budget, and noted that it was not correct to associate this increase with the Congress. “No penny of the state was spent on the Congress. I don’t allow this. “My undersecretaries and bureaucrats did not spend anything like that,” he said.

Üstel pointed out that there was an increase in the number of guests coming to the country after becoming an observer member of the Organization of Turkish States, and noted that there were some expenses for hosting them. Noting that the visits between ministries and institutions with Azerbaijan have increased, Üstel said that they encourage this. Stating that party, social and economic relations with Azerbaijan have increased as well as country relations, Üstel gave the good news that citrus fruits were exported to Azerbaijan with TRNC health documents and customs clearance for the first time today, and also reminded that aluminum was exported.

– “14 special expertise commissions and nearly 300 experts contributed to the development plan.”

Responding to criticism about not publishing the Development Plan, Üstel noted that there may be a delay, but they stand by their words and the Development Plan will be published as soon as possible. Üstel stated that after the census held in 2011, plans have always been made with projection populations, and reminded that they are working on a Development Plan based on the population determined as 489 thousand 308, and that they also called on opposition MPs to contribute to this plan.

Pointing out that the data of all departments and institutions for the projection population has been revised, Üstel noted that according to these data, the State Planning Organization worked with the contribution of 14 special expertise commissions and nearly 300 experts and experts, and that this is why the delays occurred.

– “The reason for the cost of living figure is foreign exchange indexed goods and services.”

Prime Minister Üstel noted that the November cost of living altitude determined by the Statistical Institute was experienced with the positive reflection of the negative average foreign exchange indexed goods and services on the basket. Üstel emphasized that there was no purpose in determining this to restrict the increase in the cost of living. Üstel found the criticisms regarding the renewal of the basket to be true and pointed out that the necessary budget was allocated for this.

Üstel stated that the Earthquake Monitoring Committee, established under the Prime Ministry, continues its work and said that it first started with the earthquake risk resistance studies of schools and hospitals, and following the work done in the school, the tenders of 77 schools were approved, the tenders of 40 schools were concluded, the strengthening of 20 schools was completed, and the strengthening of 20 schools continued. He announced that the operations of 37 schools and the project work of 44 schools are continuing.

Üstel stated that an amount of 373 million was spent for the projects whose tenders were completed, and that all projects were planned to be completed in 2025.

Noting that the tests against earthquake risk at Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital are about to be completed, Üstel said that the aim is to first strengthen the hospital and then fully renew it.

– “We are taking precautions to prevent energy problems.”

Responding to the statements regarding Kıb-Tek, Prime Minister Üstel noted that they have been working to strengthen Kıb-Tek since the day they came to power, and that with the protocol signed with the Republic of Turkey, the freight fee is now covered by Turkey, thus providing Kıb-Tek with 30 million dollars. He noted that it was gained. Üstel said, “In order to prevent the problems experienced so far in energy from occurring again, we have 33 thousand tons of fuel in our stocks, which is equal to 16 million dollars.” he said.

In addition, Üstel stated that 30 thousand electronic meters are in the warehouse, and that they are worth 4 million dollars. Noting that new transformer centers are being built and renovated, Üstel drew attention to their costs and stated that the tender processes have started.

Noting that a 33 million euro tender was held for the purchase of generators in 2024, but no company applied, Üstel announced that a new tender process would be held for this, and said that they are also evaluating different options for mobile generators. Prime Minister Üstel noted that since the tender for mobile generators was not completed, they received support from Turkey to eliminate the energy deficit, and 5 mobile generators came from Turkey.

Üstel pointed out that the interconnected system is being discussed in order to radically solve the energy problem in the country, and stated that the feasibility studies have been completed and its presentation will be made soon.

Üstel stated that the reason for the prolongation of the process was that there was no response to the application to ENTSO-E, the European Union institution, and emphasized that this does not mean that the delay will not be made.

Üstel announced that a second feasibility study was carried out on bringing gas from the Republic of Türkiye.

– “We allocate more budget to sports every year”

Üstel also gave information about the work carried out in the Sports Department under the Prime Ministry and noted that they are trying to give a greater share of the budget to youth and sports activities every year. Üstel pointed out the budget, which increased by 150 percent to 300 million TL, and stated that they did this to avoid problems in the field of sports.

Stating that what has been done in sports in 2024 is obvious, Üstel said that the Esentepe Sports Hall construction project is at the tender stage, the Akdoğan Football Field synthetic grass construction tender has been concluded, the grounds of Yusuf Kaptan, Maraş Youth and Famagusta Turkish Power fields have been renewed, Pınarbaşı Mountain Road, Taşkent, Hamitköy, Akdeniz sports fields have been renewed. A tender was held for the turfing of the football clubs’ grounds, and the tender for the construction of stands in Göçmenköy and Erenköy fields was announced. He announced that the construction of the ventilation system of Girne Ertuğrul Apakan Hall has been completed and that the materials for the lighting of the Yenierenköy area have been provided. Üstel also gave information about sports facilities projects originating from the Republic of Türkiye.

Noting that the Güzelyurt Citrus Cold Storage is planned to be completed within the year, Üstel announced that the construction of Güzelyurt Hospital will start as of tomorrow. Üstel also gave information about the New Kyrenia Hospital interior equipment project, Burhan Nalbantoğlu Reinforcement Project, Pamuklu, Maraş, Lapta, Değirmenlik health clinics projects, road construction projects, organized industrial zones, animal shelter development projects, and said that every effort is made to ensure that the public can receive better service this year. He noted that all kinds of precautions were taken.

Üstel stated that studies have been carried out to address drug shortages and that there will be no problems in this regard. “We continue our studies non-stop.” he said.

Prime Minister Üstel thanked all his deputies and Parliament staff who contributed to the budget negotiations.