ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkey favored reaching a just and lasting solution on Cyprus question on the basis of realities.
Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Erdogan said he paid a meaningful visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the 20th anniversary of the foundation of TRNC.
Erdogan said, ''TRNC has recorded important successes in the past 20 years since its foundation despite all the injustice, and became an assurance of peace and tranquility on the island. TRNC, which respects human rights, is the fundamental element of a lasting compromise in Cyprus with its contemporary and democratic administration.
Erdogan said Turkey favored reaching a just and lasting solution on the basis of Cyprus question. ''We believe that the initiatives launched by Turkish Cypriot side and the steps taken by them will help current confidence crisis to overcome, and facilitate just and lasting solution.''
Erdogan said during the visit he met with TRNC President Rauf Denktas, all all the political party leaders in the government and the opposition. Erdogan said they focused on concrete cooperation projects toward solution of problems of TRNC economy.
Stressing that the government showed necessary responsibility to overcome economic difficulties of TRNC and to prevent further deepening of the problems, Erdogan said, ''Turkey will always expend support to TRNC in every field, and will continue to make every kind of contribution to strengthen structure TRNC economy.''
(AY) 16.11.2003