Yasin Ekrem Serim, the newly appointed “ambassador” of Turkey to the occupied areas of Cyprus, is expected to serve as the “eyes” and “ears” of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the region. Serim’s appointment is widely perceived as politically motivated, with significant business interests intertwined, particularly given his family’s deep economic ties to the occupied territories.
Serim, whose family owns several companies operating in the occupied areas, has been linked to the exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties, particularly in Kyrenia and other areas. These companies, involved primarily in real estate, have had past associations with dubious figures, including those connected to organized crime.
Known more for his business acumen than his political skills, Serim is regarded as a close and loyal ally to his uncle, President Erdogan. His business operations in the occupied territories span various sectors, including real estate, tourism, and the management of restaurants and nightclubs, under the umbrella of companies like The Northern Associates Trading.
The origins of Serim’s involvement in these ventures trace back to the early 2000s, with support from his father. The family has established a significant presence both in the occupied territories and the UK, where they have registered several companies.
One of the most notable connections is with the late Halil Falyali, a Turkish Cypriot businessman and former casino owner who was murdered in 2022. Falyali, who was previously implicated in money laundering and drug trafficking, was a partner in The Northern Associates Trading, highlighting the controversial nature of Serim’s business dealings.
Another family-owned company, HIS Trading, focuses on real estate and the importation of petroleum products and engine oils. Additionally, The Black Sea Development company is involved in real estate development, construction, sales, and tourism.
These business interests have not gone unnoticed in Turkey and the occupied territories, with reports circulating in various media outlets and on social media. Due to his employment in the Turkish government, Serim has transferred his shares to his wife, while the management of these interests has largely fallen to his brother, Halil Serim.
The Serim brothers’ connections with settlers and their business dealings are seen as more than coincidental, reflecting the political dimensions of their entrepreneurial activities. This appointment underscores the blending of political and business interests in Turkey’s strategy in Northern Cyprus, with Serim positioned as a key figure in this ongoing dynamic.
The appointment of Yasin Ekrem Serim as Deputy Foreign Minister on October 14, 2022, is seen as part of a broader strategy by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and then-Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to bolster Turkey’s assets abroad. This move has coincided with a ramp-up in the presence of MIT agents operating under diplomatic cover, sparking controversy among career diplomats. Some diplomats resigned, while others faced disciplinary actions for their dissent, with some being prosecuted on unrelated charges.
This development is largely viewed as an extension of Erdogan’s policy to export political Islam to other countries. Serim’s appointment is linked to his close ties with Erdogan and the broader neo-Ottoman ambitions of the new Turkish Republic. The appointment reflects a deliberate strategy to enhance Turkey’s influence and presence internationally, as detailed in Abdullah Bozkurt’s article in Zaman, February 2, 2023.
