LEFKOSA - The coalition government of Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Democrat Party (DP) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) won the parliament's vote of confidence on Saturday.
Addressing the parliament after winning the vote of confidence, CTP leader and Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat thanked deputies.
''There is a period ahead of us in which the government, the parliament and Turkish Cypriots will work hard. We will live through critical and sensitive days. We need support of all sections of the society. Parliament will have a great responsibility in implementation of European Union norms. Our government will continuously inform the parliament in this period,'' he said.
TALAT: WE WILL ACT TOGETHER WITH TURKEY IN OUR EFFORTS TO FIND A SOLUTION TO CYPRUS ISSUE
Talat said, ''we, as a country which has been isolated from the world for long years, can achieve an international success only with solidarity of our people.''
''While our government expends efforts to this end, we will seek perpetual support of both our people and our parliament. We will inform leaders of political parties on developments in Cyprus negotiations,'' he said.
Talat thanked the parliament on behalf of the coalition government.
During the parliamentary vote, a total of 26 deputies cast their votes in favor of the government while 18 of them cast their votes against it. Meanwhile, 6 deputies abstained.
While deputies of the opposing National Unity Party (UBP) cast their votes against the coalition government, deputies of the Peace and Democracy Movement abstained.

TALAT: I WAS EXPECTING NSC TO TAKE SUCH A DECISION
Talat said, ''I was expecting the National Security Council (NSC) to take such a decision. The NSC issued a statement explaining realities.''
Responding questions of the A.A correspondent, Talat said on Saturday, ''the NSC has taken a recommendatory decision to shed light for the Turkish government. I believe that the government will consider it positively. The decision seems to support the policy of the government.''
Noting that the prior agenda of the government was the Cyprus issue, Talat said that the government would also deal with the European Union (EU) process in connection with the Cyprus issue.
Pointing out that the EU process was as difficult as the process of finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, Talat said, ''we should work hard.''
Talat called on Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadoupulos to be willing to resume negotiation process.
Stressing that a solution to the Cyprus issue could be found through negotiations on the basis of the plan of United Nations Secretary General Annan, Talat said, ''a brief negotiation with Annan over arrangement of these conditions can be required. I want Papadoupulos to be flexible. Because finding a solution to the Cyprus issue cannot be unilateral. It must be bilateral. Therefore, Papadoupulos should be flexible.''

DENKTAS OF TRNC LEAVES FOR TURKEY
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) left for Turkey on Saturday to hold a series of high-level talks.
Responding questions of journalists at the Gecitkale Airport prior to his departure, President Denktas said, ''it was earlier announced that I would be invited to Ankara following meeting of the National Security Council. A delegation came to the TRNC prior to the meeting, to learn our views.''
Recalling that he was scheduled to come together with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul at dinner, TRNC President Denktas told reporters that he would meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Sunday, and with General Staff Chief Gen. Hilmi Ozkok on Monday.
''We will exchange views over the Cyprus issue and steps to be taken in the coming days,'' he said.
Upon a question, TRNC President Denktas said that TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas were also invited to Ankara. He added that Talat and Denktas would come to Ankara on Sunday.
TRNC President Denktas is expected to return to the TRNC on Monday.

(UK-MS) 24.01.2004