LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Thursday that the decision which was made in the 31st session of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers in Istanbul that TRNC would be represented at the OIC under the name of ''Turkish Cypriot State'' as it was envisaged in the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan was ''a certain progress.''
Denktas told the A.A correspondent that replacing the name of ''Islam community'' with the name of ''Turkish Cypriot State'' was a progress certainly, stressing that but it did not take place of TRNC and it did not bring Turkish Cypriots to the place that they wanted.
Denktas said that they should continue to insist on the issue that they should be given the name of TRNC.
Denktas thanked Islam countries and all concerned countries for this progress, stating that naturally, it was a new step. Denktas stressed that they should make good use of it.
Noting that they have to start initiatives to establish closer relations with Islam countries, Denktas added, ''Islam countries' acknowledging us is an important development.''
A decision was made on Wednesday at the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of the Foreign Ministers that TRNC would be represented at the OIC under the name of ''Turkish Cypriot State'' as it was envisaged in the Annan's plan.
(EÖ-AÖ) 17.06.2004