ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had set a common target about Cyprus issue.
Erdogan, who attended a program broadcast on state-run TRT 1 channel, said that Turkey and TRNC would walk together in line with that target as they had done so far.
''Not only Turkey, but also TRNC should feel at ease at the moment. We have never had any problem like running away from negotiations. This is our national policy. It is not possible for us to leave aside this policy,'' Erdogan noted.
Erdogan recalled that TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas attended the Cyprus summit held at the Prime Ministry Residence the same evening.
He informed the participants about his visits to Davos and the United States, Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that he informed the participants about his meeting with United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan in Davos.
''I told everybody that our meeting was held within the scope of good will. I also said that our good will encouraged Annan,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan pointed out that he also informed the participants about his meeting with U.S. President George Bush and other officials about Cyprus issue.
''I want everybody to know that Cyprus is our national policy. It is not possible for us to leave aside this policy. Within the scope of our national policy, we can never consider Turkish identity in Northern Cyprus non-existent. This existence will be preserved and strengthened,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan went on saying, ''there is two separate sovereign sides in Cyprus having two separate languages and two separate ethnic roots. And, this bi-zonal structure should be strengthened. Any result can't be reached unless this structure is strengthened. This was accepted in the past. I believe that it will also be accepted today and it should be accepted. Turkey's and Greece's positions as guarantor states have also been accepted.''
''Map is maybe the last issue to be discussed. There are steps to be taken and issues to be settled before map is taken up. After issues are solved, I think sides will discuss and settle the details,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan recalled that statement issued at the end of the National Security Council (NSC) meeting was in favor of resumption of Cyprus talks taking Annan plan as a reference and accepting U.N. Secretary General's good will mission.
''We are saying that we are ready to sit at the table. Not only as Turkey, but also as TRNC, we should feel at ease at the moment. We have never had any problem like running away from negotiations. We have showed our good will and will continue to do so provided that the other side shows the same good will,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that not only Annan but also Bush and Powell intervened after his visit to the United States.
''Talks are being held. We hope we can reach a fair and lasting solution at the end of these talks. This is our and TRNC administration's hope. Thus, TRNC has showed its determination and good will,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan added, ''sitting at the negotiation table without any preconditions is undoubtedly the ideal. But, one side can't always give and the other can't always take at the table. Both sides should gain and none of the sides should say that it has lost. This is the fair and lasting solution. It is not possible for us to approach positively to developments if one loses and the other boasts by saying how it has defeated the other side. This is a struggle for a solution and this struggle should be given.''
(BRC-AÖ) 05.02.2004