GIRNE - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat has said that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots were making their decisions about their future and stated, ''today is a historic day.''
Talat cast his vote in referendum on U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan on Cyprus in Girne on Saturday.
Stating that they aimed to create an order and a country where sufferings of the past would not take place again in Cyprus, Talat said that they were extending efforts to reach this aim.
''Turkish Cypriot people and Greek Cypriot people are making their decisions with their free will. I wish their decisions will bring goodness to all of us,'' he said.
When he was reminded of some news stories which said that Turkey's rights on harmless passage from territorial waters between Turkey and Cyprus were damaged, Talat said that it was not true, and noted, ''Turkey and 'United Cyprus Republic' will discuss and decide on territorial water issue.''
Talat added that it was decided in negotiations in Switzerland that Turkey and Cyprus would discuss and make a decision on territorial water issue.
(EÖ-UK) 24.04.2004