ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday, ''we welcome new proposals, which have been submitted to the Greek Cypriot side by President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) under the confidence-building measures.''
''As you know, President Denktas sent a letter to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan this morning, and proposed opening of Lefkosa International Airport and a part of the closed Maras to joint use of two nations under the control of the United Nations. If his proposals are accepted, the Greek Cypriot side's planes and vessels will be able to use Turkish Cypriot side's ports and airport,'' he said.
Gul told reporters, ''opening of Lefkosa Airport to joint use of the two nations in the island was brought onto agenda earlier under the confidence-building measures. These proposals have revealed that the Turkish Cypriot side has been seeking for a solution in the island. These proposals have displayed that the Turkish Cypriot side is in favor of a satisfactory solution.''
Stressing that Turkey supported steps taken under the confidence-building measures, Gul said, ''if these measures are accepted, mutual trade will increase. These steps will be meaningful only if they are taken mutually.''
''In his letter to United Nations Secretary General Annan, President Denktas asked Annan to make a contribution to taking these steps mutually.''
(UK-AÖ) 11.07.2003