LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat has said that it was the time to solve the Cyprus issue and stated that they were ready for negotiations and determined for a solution before May 1.
Talat received on Saturday British High Commissioner Lyn Parker.
Stating that recent developments showed that Turkish side was ready to discuss the Cyprus issue and solve it, Talat said, ''everyone is aware of that a solution should be found before May 1 and a united Cyprus should join the European Union (EU).''
Talat said that Turkish Cypriot side was going through a very important process and noted that they could have serious concerns due to possible developments on issues concerning their society, that's why they were very determined to find a solution by May 1, 2004.
''I am very optimistic about finding a solution to the Cyprus issue as Turkey seems very determined. This issue has been confirmed once again during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the United States.''
Meanwhile, Parker said that they believed that a few months till May 1 would be very critical for Cyprus and noted that resumption of negotiations between today and May was a very important opportunity for reaching an agreement on the issue.
Stating that they were aware that the time for finding a lasting peace was limited, Parker said that the sides should show necessary political will on solution to the issue.
Underlining that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan put forth clearly things that the sides should fulfil on Cyprus issue, Parker said that all sides were expected to meet those conditions.
Parker said that they believed that Turkey, Greece and the two sides in Cyprus would put forth necessary political will for a lasting peace in Cyprus and negotiations would restart rapidly and in a productive way.
(EÖ-UK) 01.02.2004