LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Tuesday that Turkish and Greek Cypriots should reach a compromise to live together on Cyprus and he believed Annan's plan would provide such a compromise.
After their meeting in southern Cyprus, Talat and communist AKEL party's secretary general and Greek parliament speaker Dimitris Hristofyas held a joint news conference.
Talat said that holding referendum on schedule, resolution of the Cyprus issue and accession of whole Cyprus to the European Union (EU) on May 1 were very important to them and they had expressed these opinions at the meeting.
''We put forward our belief that postponement of referendum would have serious consequences for both the Turkish Cypriot side and it would create a deviation from the time table set by the United Nations,'' he said.
''Any side should not perceive Annan's plan as a victory. Annan's plan is just a document of compromise. Signals which are observed in the Turkish Cypriot side and mostly display positive feelings of Turkish Cypriot people should be perceived as the desire of a community that has lived under isolation and in an atmosphere of insolubility for long years,'' Talat said.
Stressing that there were many factors which they wanted but could not obtain, Talat said, ''similarly, we could not have many factors included in this plan to reach a livable agreement and solution.''
Noting that an ''acceptable'' plan had been put forward despite everything, Talat said, ''according to me, this 'acceptance' with contentment is not only for Turkish Cypriots but also for Greek Cypriots. We have never had the opinion of removing rights of Greek Cypriots and not recognizing them. Because we know that we have to reach a compromise to live on this island. We have acted upon the understanding that rights of a side should not be taken.''
''If we mutually display good will and respect each other's rights, desires and feelings, there is no reason that prevents us from living together on this island and I believe that the result and this plan we reached is a plan that can provide it,'' Talat said.
TRNC Prime Minister Talat added that their meetings would continue and they would hold another meeting soon to continue their evaluation.
TALAT: WE UNDERSTAND CONCERNS OF GREEK CYPRIOT PEOPLE
Talat said on Tuesday that they understood the concerns of Greek Cypriots in the implementation of Annan Plan and they wanted to assure that there would not be a problem in the implementation of the plan in the aspect of Turkish side.
Talat and Greek Cypriot main opposition party DISI leader Nicos Anastasiades held a joint press conference after their meeting.
Noting that they mainly provided a consensus with Anastasiades, Talat said, ''we understand concerns of Greek Cypriot people. We want to assure that there will not be any problem in the aspect of Turkish side during the implementation of the plan. Of course we demand the same assurance from Greek side.''
Talat said that they wanted ''yes'' from both sides during referendum and added that Turkish and Greek Cypriots could live together and Annan Plan was not a victory for any side and they wanted solution.
Anastasiades said that their efforts for solution would continue and added they would exert efforts for the accession of a united Cyprus to the European Union (EU).
TALAT: ''GREEK SIDE'S DEMAND TO DELAY REFERENDUM IS UNACCEPTABLE''
Talat said that it was impossible for Turkish Cypriot side to accept the postponement of referendum.
Noting that the situation after May 1 was not certain, Talat said that Turkish Cypriot side had a big reaction to Greek Cypriot side's demand for delaying the referendum.
Talat said after his meeting with Greek Cypriot main opposition party DISI leader Nicos Anastasiades that Greek Cypriot parties should evaluate the future well and added that Turkish side was loyal to its responsibilities on Annan Plan.
Talat said that he believed that the results of referendum in Greek Cypriot side would be ''yes'' if the parties in Greek Cypriot side would convince people.
Noting that they considered the solution as inevitable, Talat said that the side which delayed the solution would be imposed more difficult conditions in the future.
Talat said that he was optimistic and believed that Greek side would also be positive and added that the chance to make Cyprus a common country was continuing. Noting that there would not be any problem which could not be solved when there was good will, Talat said, ''unfortunately, Annan Plan has not been negotiated since the beginning. A face to face give and take process could not start.'' He added that if they could fulfill this, a better plan would emerge.
Talat said that the attitude of the United Nations about the postponement of referendum was not clear.
Anastasiades said that they had a very beneficial meeting and shared concerns, adding that the re-unification of the country was their common wish.
(GC-AY) 13.04.2004