ISTANBUL - Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim met on Monday with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman F. Mineta.
Following the meeting, Yildirim told reporters that the United States approached positively starting direct flights to Ercan Airport of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Yildirim noted that they discussed maritime and air transportation and security of planes and airports in the meeting.
Noting that there have been very important developments on security of air transportation in the United States especially after September 11, Yildirim said that joint work on the issue continued.
Yildirim said that they informed Mineta about their studies on Ship and Port Security Automatic Identification Systems which would go into effect as of July 1 and stated that they also exchanged views on new projects of Turkish Airlines (THY) and developments in TRNC after twin referenda held in Cyprus on April 24 in the meeting.
Mineta said that his meeting with Yildirim was very beneficial and stated that they decided to further improve cooperation in many fields. He added that joint work and cooperation would continue.
When asked whether or not the United States thought of starting direct flights to TRNC, Mineta said that talks on this issue continued and stated that he received a document on Ercan Airport and he was examining it.
Replying to the same question, Yildirim said that they discussed this issue in the meeting and noted that the United States considered this issue positive. Yildirim stated that work on this issue was continuing and added that it was difficult to say when flights would start.
(EÖ-AÖ) 24.05.2004