LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat met on Tuesday with Dimitris Hristofyas, the secretary general of communist party AKEL and speaker of the Greek Cypriot parliament. Talat is scheduled to hold talks on Annan's plan which will be put to referendum on April 24. This is the first time a Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister visits Greek Cypriot side. Sides are expected to discuss mainly the proposal of AKEL for postponement of referendum. TRNC Prime Minister Talat earlier said both sides should vote ''yes'' for a solution on Cyprus, and noted that AKEL should say ''yes'' for a ''yes'' vote in southern Cyprus. Talat will also meet with representatives of main opposition party DISI. TALAT: ANNAN PLAN SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS A VICTORY FOR ANY SIDE Talat and Dimitris Hristofyas, the secretary general of communist party AKEL and speaker of the Greek Cypriot parliament, held a press conference after their meeting. Noting that many things they wanted were not involved in the plan but still the plan can be accepted with contentment, Talat said that Greek side could also say ''yes'' to the plan with contentment. Talat said that they exchanged views with Hristofyas on referendum and Annan Plan. He added that Hristofyas told him that complying with Annan Plan timetable, finding solution to Cyprus problem until May 1 and membership of a united Cyprus to the European Union (EU) on May 1 were very important for them. Hristofyas said that they gave detailed information about the decision of AKEL Central Committee during the meeting. Noting that Annan Plan had negative and positive sides, Hristofyas said that they had the tendency of saying ''no'' to the plan.

(GC-AY) 13.04.2004