PM Üstel Announced the “Return Home Package”

Üstel also shared the “Return Home Package,” which includes incentives for young people returning from the UK, and a new draft law introducing facilities related to paid military service.

Speaking at the festival held at Enfield Donkey Lane in London, Üstel revealed a series of new initiatives for Turkish Cypriot youth living in the UK.

English Young Diaspora Coordination Board to Be Established

Üstel stated that the “English Young Diaspora Coordination Board” will be established within the TRNC Prime Ministry. This body will enable young people living in the UK to communicate directly with TRNC institutions.

Emphasizing that the voices of young people will be heard more effectively by the government, Üstel announced that the “Return Home Package” will be implemented for young people wishing to make a permanent return to the TRNC from the UK. The package will include tax incentives and various supports, aimed at facilitating their return.

Other key points highlighted in Üstel’s speech include:

• Empowering young people living abroad to become active actors in public diplomacy and creating special communication networks that will amplify TRNC’s voice on digital platforms.

• Launching cultural programs to strengthen the sense of belonging to their country and culture among 4th generation Turkish Cypriot youth.

• Completing work to enable young people in the UK to acquire social housing rights.

• Introducing major conveniences in e-government services to help youth overcome bureaucratic obstacles.

• Initiating legislative reforms to ease military service procedures.

Üstel also provided details about the new Military Service Draft Law submitted to the Assembly. He stated that the law will grant paid military service rights to dual-citizen youth living abroad, ending the varying applications across countries and ensuring equal opportunities.

Provisions of the draft law include:

• Increasing the minimum stay requirement in the country for paid military service from 90 to 120 days.

• Reducing paid military service fees based on minimum wage rates.

• Clarifying situations for youth pursuing medical specialization or doctoral education and removing legal uncertainties.

• Granting conditional amnesty to those evading military service or absentees.

• Providing a one-time exceptional application right to those who could not benefit from paid military service within the prescribed period in previous years.

Prime Minister Üstel emphasized that this law will create equal opportunities for youth living abroad and expressed confidence that the regulation will be implemented as soon as possible.