The new president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said Thursday he is determined to work with Turkish authorities on the Cyprus issue.Mustafa Akıncı was sworn in Thursday as the fourth president of TRNC. "A self-sufficient Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with the ability to govern itself will be able to find its place as a federal structure in international law and EU institutions," Akıncı said. He added that such a development would benefit both the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.The Cyprus issue has remained on the agenda between the Greek and the Turkish parts of the island since a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by a Turkish peace mission to aid Turkish Cypriots in the north in 1974.After the swearing-in ceremony, Akıncı met Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç.The two leaders played down an earlier spat between Akıncı and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after the newly-elected leader said his government wanted "brotherly" ties with Ankara, rather than the traditional "foster land-motherland" relationship.The remarks prompted a strong response from Erdoğan, who told Akıncı that he "has to watch his words."On Thursday, Arınç said the "motherland" metaphor was meant to emphasize a relationship of love and sincerity."We have only one concern," Arınç said. "It is to achieve an economically strong Northern Cyprus that stands on its feet with peace, happiness, stability and prosperity."Akıncı responded by saying he would work closely with the Turkish government and that he recognized that he had a responsibility to observe and enhance the ties between Ankara and Nicosia.Having won the runoff presidential election Sunday, and garnering 60.38 percent of the ballots, Akıncı replaced Derviş Eroğlu, who received 39.62 percent of the votes. Arınç, Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Turkey's Ambassador to Nicosia Halil Ibrahim Akça, as well as a number of ministers, deputies, military officials and civilians were present at the swearing-in ceremony that took place at the parliament.