Global healthcare travel body official thanks Turkey

Global Healthcare Travel Council (GTHC)'s newly appointed vice-president from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus hailed Turkey's support for his election to the global travel body.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in Lefkoşa on Thursday, Ahmet Savaşan said: "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has gotten an international representation thanks to Turkey's decisive stance and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's Tourism and Environment Minister's [Fikri Ataoğlu] support."

His election to the council was welcomed by 57 countries but it disturbed Greek Cypriots on the island, according to Savaşan.

Savaşan was appointed as a vice president of the council in April at the General Assembly meeting of the Council, where the TRNC Minister of Tourism and Environment Ataoğlu was also present as the Honorary Committee Member.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks, and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.

The Greek Cypriot administration is a member of the EU and is internationally recognized by all nations except Turkey, which remains the only country that recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.