ANKARA - Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that Turkey was backing the proposal of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas to clear mines from Lefkosa and its vicinity.
A statement of the Ministry said that the proposal would strengthen the positive atmosphere between the sides in the island.
The statement noted that ''relations between the two sides had been intensified and a positive atmosphere was created'' with the move of the Turkish side to free reciprocal border crossings.
They believed that the confidence-building measures would contribute to efforts for a comprehensive settlement, the statement pointed out and added that Turkey was supporting Denktas' proposal.
TRNC President Denktas sent a letter to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan earlier in the day and proposed to clear mines from Lefkosa and its vicinity. He added that TRNC was ready to discuss the issue with U.N. Peace Force.
(BRC-AÖ) 24.07.2003