WASHINGTON - It had been proved that Cyprus Republic was the Greek Cypriot government and should be treated that way, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Friday.
After completing his meetings in Washington, Talat held a press conference.
Talat said, ''Cyprus Republic is the Greek Cypriot government from now on. This was proved by the referendum. Now, the Greek Cypriot government should be treated as the Greek Cypriot government. This is the way it should be treated even if it is recognized as the Cyprus Republic.''
He had held meetings with the title of ''TRNC Prime Minister'' for the first time during his visit to the United States, Talat noted.
Talat stated that being addressed ''TRNC Prime Minister'' would not mean ''recognition'' and said, ''this is an upgrade of status.''
He had seen positive signals in the United States about ending of TRNC's isolation, Talat said.
Talat pointed out that he had positive expectations about starting of direct flights to TRNC, an issue which had a priority.
He discussed direct flights to TRNC during his meeting with Henry Hude, Chairman of Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress, Talat said.
Talat stated that he discussed the same issue with a group of U.S. congressmen and added, ''it is important to talk about this issue even though it is a dream.''
Talat went to the United States on Monday.
Since Monday, TRNC Prime Minister Talat met with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan, U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell, International Monetary Fund (IMF) European I Department Director Michael Deppler, and Henry Hyde, Chairman of Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress., World Bank Vice-President Shigeo Katsu.
Talat also delivered a speech at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington.
Earlier in the day, TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat was introduced as ''Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus'' while he was invited to the annual meal of American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Washington.
(BRC) 07.05.2004
WASHINGTON - It had been proved that Cyprus Republic was the Greek Cypriot government and should be treated that way, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Friday.
After completing his meetings in Washington, Talat held a press conference.
Talat said, ''Cyprus Republic is the Greek Cypriot government from now on. This was proved by the referendum. Now, the Greek Cypriot government should be treated as the Greek Cypriot government. This is the way it should be treated even if it is recognized as the Cyprus Republic.''
He had held meetings with the title of ''TRNC Prime Minister'' for the first time during his visit to the United States, Talat noted.
Talat stated that being addressed ''TRNC Prime Minister'' would not mean ''recognition'' and said, ''this is an upgrade of status.''
He had seen positive signals in the United States about ending of TRNC's isolation, Talat said.
Talat pointed out that he had positive expectations about starting of direct flights to TRNC, an issue which had a priority.
He discussed direct flights to TRNC during his meeting with Henry Hude, Chairman of Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress, Talat said.
Talat stated that he discussed the same issue with a group of U.S. congressmen and added, ''it is important to talk about this issue even though it is a dream.''
Talat went to the United States on Monday.
Since Monday, TRNC Prime Minister Talat met with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan, U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell, International Monetary Fund (IMF) European I Department Director Michael Deppler, and Henry Hyde, Chairman of Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress., World Bank Vice-President Shigeo Katsu.
Talat also delivered a speech at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington.
Earlier in the day, TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat was introduced as ''Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus'' while he was invited to the annual meal of American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Washington.
(BRC) 07.05.2004