LEFKOSA - Serdar Denktas, the leader of the Democrat Party (DP), Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister said on Tuesday that Annan plan was a reference for a solution.
Serdar Denktas met with Democratic Party (DIKO) deputy leader Nikos Kleanthus within the scope of his meetings with political parties in Greek Cypriot side.
Stating that Turkish Cypriot people and Greek Cypriot people wanted solution, Denktas said that but they were against any solution formula imposed by external powers.
Denktas said that what was important was to discuss issues with Greek Cypriot political parties and stated that DIKO and they held a very open meeting by accepting differences of each other. Denktas said that they also saw that they could also carry on dialogue with differences between the two sides in the meeting.
Stating that there was Annan plan that they could use as a reference, Denktas said that if they put forth a search for solution by referring to this plan, they would hold referendum on it after an agreement was reached. Denktas said that it was not an appropriate method to hold referendum on a plan which was imposed by external powers. He added that they conveyed their views on this issue to DIKO officials. Denktas said that there could be some differences, but what was important to carry on dialogue.
Denktas said that they would hold meetings with DIKO and he hoped that they would decrease problems which might occur in Cyprus issue and EU through dialogue. Denktas noted that they wanted to see Kleanthus in TRNC soon.
When a reporter said, ''is there any difference between accepting Annan plan as a reference and accepting it as a basis?'' Denktas said, ''it is a single comprehensive plan that we have now. We should start negotiations from this plan. We should hold meetings as political parties of the two sides without interference of external powers.''
DIKO deputy leader Nikos Kleanthus said that they held their meeting in a very sincere atmosphere and their meeting was very beneficial.
Kleanthus hoped that this process would be a very good beginning and it would contribute to solution of Cyprus issue.
DIKO deputy leader Kleanthus expressed belief that sides should respect to their existing positions and act accordingly in that process.
There was need for dialogue between two sides to reach a lasting and sustainable agreement on Cyprus issue, Kleanthus stated.
Kleanthus pointed out that continuation of that dialogue was also important.
His party and Democrat Party reached a consensus of opinion about continuation of dialogue, Kleanthus said.
Kleanthus stated that Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot people showed how willing they were to find a solution to Cyprus issue with the step taken to eliminate difficulties in free movement of people and to open border gates.
Expressing pleasure for reaching consensus with Serdar Denktas and accompanying delegation on that issue, Kleanthus said that he would like to stress that they thought that they should hold a referendum after they reached an agreement on a settlement.
Kleanthus stated that he and Serdar Denktas agreed to meet again.
(EÖ-BRC-AÖ) 30.12.2003