Talat Says His Visit To Brussels Shows Path To Contact With World Has Opened

ISTANBUL - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Saturday that one of the important sides of his visit to Brussels was that it proved that the path to contact with the world was opened.
Talat, who returned from Brussels where he attended Preparatory International Donors' Conference, told reporters that he had the chance to convey the views of Turkish Cypriots, recent developments in Cyprus issue, referendums and his views towards referendums during his meetings in Brussels.
Talat said that he especially expressed that Turkish side was against the demand for postponement of referendums and also Turkish side was ready to fulfill its commitments.
Noting that he had delivered a speech in Preparatory International Donors' Conference on behalf of Turkish Cypriot people and expressed the view of Turkish Cypriots towards United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's Plan and their opinion about resorting the plan to referendum, Talat said that he thought it was cleared that Turkish side was against the postponement of referendums.
Talat said that his visit was also important since it proved that the path to contact with the world was opened. He added that Turkish Cypriot policy was introverted until today but they had overcome it completely with this visit.
Talat said that they had put into practice a policy to integrate with the world, establish communication and develop relations by speaking on the same frequency. He added that he thought they would see the benefits of this policy.
Noting that he had the chance to meet with European Union (EU) foreign policy and security chief Javier Solana and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen in Brussels, Talat said that he showed one more time that Turkish Cypriots and Turkish Cypriot state were ready to take steps in the process of integration with the world and enter EU and adjust with EU.
Talat said that policy of opening to world was put into practice in TRNC now.
Talat said that if the results of referendums were ''no'' in Greek Cypriot side and ''yes'' in TRNC, it would be necessary to take new and important steps, adding that this visit could be perceived as a beginning signal.
''Because, not only U.S. but also EU officials have signaled how they would evaluate a ''yes'' vote of Turkish Cypriot side and a ''no'' vote of the Greek Cypriot side to the plan. My visit was very fruitful in this context,'' Talat added.
Talat went to Brussels on Wednesday to attend the Preparatory International Donor's Conference held to provide financial support in the context of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.
Holding a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, Talat said that Turkish Cypriots would never accept Greek Cypriots' representing the entire island.
In the preparatory meeting held on Thursday, Talat said that peoples in Cyprus would determine their future on their own.
Talat met with EU foreign policy and security chief Javier Solana later on Thursday. EU sources said recent developments on Cyprus and simultaneous referenda to be held on April 24 on Cyprus were discussed at the meeting. Solana expressed wish of the EU to see a united Cyprus within itself on May 1.
U.N. Secretary General Annan presented his final plan to parties at the end of Cyprus negotiations in Buergenstock, Switzerland on March 31.
This plan will be put to simultaneous referenda in TRNC and Greek Cypriot side on April 24.