ANKARA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan planned to launch an initiative to start negotiations on Cyprus by calling for support of the United States.
Talat, who visited Turkey as the guest of Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) departed from Ankara.
Replying to questions of reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Talat said he had very beneficial talks in Ankara.
Asked when the application would be made to start negotiations, Talat said, ''Prime Minister Erdogan planned to launch such an initiative by calling for the support of the United States. Of course, we will have support to this initiative.''
Talat said, ''as Turkey and the TRNC government our common attitude is clear. This is to find a solution to Cyprus question.''
Talat said, ''efforts should be exerted in this respect. Our target is to solve Cyprus question till May. There are also busy studies in Turkey as well as Cyprus. We are trying to form an atmosphere to bring them together and to start talks. Turkey is resolved on the way to solution and it has definite ideas. This is an important step. However the intention and the target is clear, it is to reach a solution. This solution will of course protect vital interests of Turkish Cypriot people. This will be a solution protecting assignments and rights of Turkey on Cyprus.''
Stating that a negotiation process on the basis of Annan plan was envisaged for solution of Cyprus question, Talat said he supported good will mission of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, and that preparations were underway to initiate talks in this respect.
Talat said they supported negotiation process and that they joined the preparations.
Talat said, ''our preparations and contributions will continue. Of course Secretary General will decide for the date to start negotiations. What we should do is to find formulas that can meet his conditions. The Turkish side will also apply to the Secretary General to start talks. You know, Greek Cypriot side did it. It applied to Secretary General to start talks. However, they did this before meeting the conditions of the Secretary General. They could not get a positive response. I think the Turkish side should take this into consideration and make a more careful initiative by meeting conditions.''
Replying to a question asking what kind of changes the Turkish side would propose at negotiation table, Talat said studies continued for initiation of talks, noting, ''there is not a picture that has been completed. Efforts are underway.''
Asked if views of Turkey and them were similar on Annan plan, Talat said, ''we are working on it. It should be the same. It should be at the same point.''
(AY) 21.01.2004