ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has sent a message to TRNC Foreign and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu who prepares to hand over his post and thanked Ertugruloglu for his friendship and cooperation during his term in office.
''I would like to thank you for the close cooperation you showed within the scope of the efforts we carried out together for defending our Cyprus cause. The resolution and success which Turkey and Turkish Cypriots had in protecting unity and integrity constitutes the basis of the progress recorded till today in our fight for existence and freedom for approximately half a century,'' Gul said in his message.
Finding a solution to Cyprus problem was the common wish and target of Turkey and TRNC, said Gul adding that ''yet the solution to be found has to provide the atmosphere in which Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots could live side by side in peace and security. Turkey and TRNC have constructive common views and attitudes about this issue stemming from the experience of the past and the realities of today.''
(Öª) 14.01.2004