ANKARA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that Turkey fully supported the latest proposal of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and stated that the country was ready to make every contribution for this proposal to be put into practice.
Releasing a statement, the ministry recalled that Denktas sent a letter to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday proposing that Lefkosa International Airport which was found in buffer zone in Cyprus should be renovated and the airport should be opened to air traffic and use of the two sides according to Confidence Building Measures package which was proposed by U.N. Secretary General in 1993 and 1994.
The statement also underlined that Denktas made some additional proposals for settlement of confidence and cooperation between the two sides and stated, ''Turkey fully supports those proposals of Denktas.''
Foreign Ministry said that relevant sides, U.N., the European Union (EU) and international society were also expected to evaluate and support those proposals with similar understanding and said, ''Turkey is ready to make every contribution for Denktas's proposals to be put into practice. If Denktas's proposals are accepted, Greek Cypriot administration's airline companies can also have possibility to use Turkish airspace and airports.''
Underlining that it was expected that unfair embargoes and restrictions regarding air and sea transportation imposed on Turkish Cypriot people should end, the statement said that it was also foreseen to improve commercial relations and sea transportation with Greek Cypriot administration in order to contribute to that process.
Foreign Ministry stated that putting into practice this proposal would strengthen positive and constructive atmosphere which appeared with steps which Turkish Cypriot side took in April and added that it would also pave the way for a comprehensive solution.
(EÖ-AÖ) 11.07.2003