Atacanli: We Wish That A Solution Will Be Reached In Cyprus Till May 1

ANKARA - Presidential Chief Advisor Sermet Atacanli for Foreign Affairs has said, ''we wish that a solution will be reached in Cyprus till May 1, 2004.''
Speaking at a press briefing at the Cankaya Presidential Palace on Friday Atacanli said, ''before leaving for the United States, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on his program in the United States. Prime Minister Erdogan will give detailed information to President Sezer on his meetings with U.S. officials after his return. We hope that his visit would contribute to both Turkish-American relations and some foreign policy issues to which Turkey attributed importance.''
Responding a question about the Cyprus issue, Atacanli told reporters, ''we wish that a solution will be reached in Cyprus till May 1, 2004. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have been expending great efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus question on the basis of the facts in the island. Recently, the Turkish side has taken a series of productive steps to resume negotiation process backed by the United Nations. The international community has welcomed these steps.''
''President Sezer is not envisaged to hold any meeting about the Cyprus issue for the time being. The most important thing is resumption of the negotiation process between the two sides in the island under the good-will mission of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan,'' he said.
Upon another question, Atacanli said, ''the Turkish side is ready to expend all kinds of efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue in 2004.''
Responding a question about TRNC President Rauf Denktas' visit to Ankara last week, Atacanli told reporters that President Denktas had paid a visit to Ankara upon invitation of President Sezer.''
Upon another question, Atacanli said that President Sezer did not send any message to U.S. President George W. Bush through Prime Minister Erdogan.
Recalling that Istanbul would host NATO Summit in June, Atacanli said, ''President Bush is expected to come to Istanbul to attend the summit. President Bush also plans to pay an official visit to Ankara after attending the summit. We conveyed our pleasure to the U.S. side. We would be pleased with hosting President Bush in Turkey.''
(UK-AÖ) 30.01.2004