ANKARA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Tuesday that Turkey's recent efforts on Cyprus issue coincided with TRNC's on many points.
Talat who came to Ankara as the guest of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges in Turkey (TOBB) visited TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu.
Responding to reporters, Talat said that Turkey's and TRNC's recent studies focused on some different fields, and some difference points. He added that but they assessed all aspects of Cyprus issue.
''We coincide on many points. We share similar concern and goal. It is to protect interests, rights and presence of Turkish Cypriot people on the island. Even if there are some differences within this scope, these are just differences with regard to point of view. We will make those things closer. Thus, it is impossible to say that there is a difference,'' Talat stated.
When a reporter said what the difference was, Talat said that he did not say such a thing and stated that there was not any difference in point of view. He added that when there were differences, they would make them closer.
Asked whether or not TRNC President or Foreign Minister would attend the meeting of National Security Council (NSC) which would be held on January 23, he said that the meeting would be held on Friday, and TRNC President Rauf Denktas would hold meetings in Turkey on Saturday and Sunday.
Talat said that they formed a social compromise and solution government in TRNC and started to take steps to develop relations with Turkey.
''Turkey and Cyprus issue are on a very critical point. Turkey and TRNC aim to solve the issue by determining common policies through consultation and by protecting interests of Turkish Cypriot people,'' he noted.
Talat said that TRNC government would continue to do its utmost for solution of the Cyprus issue by May 2004 through consultation with Turkey, as it was to the benefit of Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey.
Stating that he also met with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul today, he recalled that they carried out a study on Cyprus issue in TRNC. Talat added that they found opportunity to review it.
Talat stressed that preliminary work on this issue continued both in Turkey and TRNC and noted that Turkish side would work seriously and expend efforts for a solution. Talat said that Turkish side determined May 1, 2004 as the target and noted that it would organize its working program accordingly.
Talat said that they would come together again with Gul and state that this meeting would be held in Turkey or TRNC.
(EÖ-AÖ) 20.01.2004