ISTANBUL - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat left for the United States on Monday to hold a series of meetings.
Asked about Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's words about ''recognition of the Greek Cypriot side'' prior to his departure, Talat said, ''Erdogan told the truth. This is the stage we have reached in 40 years. The Greek Cypriot side has become a state recognized by the entire world in the name of whole Cyprus. And, we are facing a weird situation since we can't come to any solution in the end of our policies. It is definite that it will be a serious problem from now on. Turkey will find the Greek Cypriot side against itself in the Council of Europe (COE) with the title Cyprus Republic when it is undergoing the European Union (EU) process. And, it will have to establish relationship with the Greek Cypriot side.''
Talat and TRNC Agriculture and Forestry Minister Rasit Pertev later flew to New York.
TRNC Prime Minister Talat will stay in New York for one night and proceed to Washington on May 4.
Talat will meet with U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell on May 4. He is expected to meet with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan and other officials.
TRNC Prime Minister Talat and accompanying delegation is expected to depart from the United States on May 6 and return to TRNC via Istanbul on May 7.
(BRC-AY) 03.05.2004