Talat: Withdrawal Of Soldiers From Cyprus Is Not On Agenda

TRNC PRIME MINISTER: LIFTING OF EMBARGO ON TRNC IS VERY IMPORTANT

BRUSSELS - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat has said that he gave priority to importance of lifting of embargo imposed on the TRNC during his meeting in Brussels and that withdrawal of soldiers from Cyprus was not on the agenda.
Holding a news conference on Tuesday, Talat who held several meetings under structure of the European Parliament in Belgian capital Brussels said that he gave priority to demand for lifting of every kind of embargo on the TRNC.
''The annual aid that Turkey extends to us is more than the 259 million euros aid package that the European Union will give to us but our economy can't grow due to embargo. I explained that lifting of embargo is very important,'' Talat said and noted that he did not make any request for recognition of the TRNC.
''Withdrawal of soldiers from Cyprus is definitely not on the agenda. The agreement has been destroyed by Greek Cypriots. Bringing an activity which can happen in case of solution as insolubility onto the agenda is not a thing that public opinion accepts,'' he said.
Noting that they had evaluated the situation emerged after referendums during his meetings in Brussels, Talat said that he had met with leaders of the liberal, socialist and conservative groups at the European Parliament, explained his opinions at the foreign affairs commission and attended technical meetings.
''An interesting situation has come out of Annan's plan which was strongly accepted by Turkish Cypriots, rejected by Greek Cypriots, arranged by the United Nations, approved by the European Union with determination and backed by the whole world. Turkish Cypriots who backed the plan are outside the European Union while Greek Cypriots who rejected the thing which was strongly backed by the European Union are going to accede.''
Talat said that Greek Cypriots showed security concerns as a pretext of rejection but they had never brought this issue onto the table during negotiations.
Recalling that appointment of two Turkish Cypriot and four Greek Cypriot parliamentarians at the European Parliament was in question, Talat said that he proposed to leave Turkish Cypriots' seats vacant or appoint two Turkish observers who had the right to address the European Parliament.
Stating that referendums caused an advantageous situation, Talat said, ''we should make use of this advantage with the European and global manner of speaking but without any quarrel. We will follow a serious, attentive, contemporary and realistic policy. We don't want sanction on Greek Cypriots but we want understanding towards Turkish Cypriots.''
Stressing importance of representation that the European Union would open in the TRNC, Talat said, ''I think that a European Union office which directly meets with Turkish Cypriots will be quite beneficial.''
(MS) 27.04.2004