# Tass

Russia contacted the TRNC about the representative office

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ersin Tatar, stated that he contacted the TRNC about opening a representative office of Russia and said, "This step taken by Russia to serve its citizens here does not mean the recognition of the TRNC, but it shows that its existence is acceptable." Following the news that Russia will soon begin to provide consular services in the TRNC, TRNC President Ersin Tatar announced that Russia has contacted the TRNC regarding the issue. Tatar stated that the Russian authorities contacted him and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and requested to open an office, and stressed that the representative office would be put into service soon. “We want more Russians to come to our country, make investments and revive tourism” Stating that there are nearly 50 thousand Russians living in the TRNC, Tatar said, “Although this step taken by Russia to serve its citizens here, it does not mean the recognition of the TRNC, it shows that its existence is acceptable. With the representative office to be opened, Russians living in the TRNC will be able to carry out consular transactions easily. Both the USA and the UK have offices here. We think that such a restructuring will be positive. I say good luck. We want more Russians to come to our country, make investments and revive tourism. The TRNC state has a positive view on all legal requests.” President Tatar said that there is no clear information about where the office will open yet. The Russian official at the Embassy of the Greek Cypriot Administration announced An official working at the embassy of Russia in the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) told the Russian official news agency TASS that Russia will soon begin to provide consular services in the TRNC. The Russian official said, “We will start providing consular services in the north of Nicosia very soon. The works will be carried out regularly” and stated that they are carrying out such a study in order to fulfill their obligations towards Russian citizens living in the TRNC.