LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Thursday he hoped that Islam countries would understand that a solution in Cyprus was possible only by treating equally to both sides.
Denktas received Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone Momodu Koroma who came to TRNC for official meetings.
TRNC Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas and TRNC Agriculture and Forestry Minister Rasit Pertev also attended the meeting.
President Denktas told reporters that he wished this visit would become the beginning of visits of sister countries and said that such an understanding would contribute in understanding of Turkish Cypriots' struggle which has been continuing for 40 years.
Stressing that the referendum which was held in Cyprus showed that there were two countries in Cyprus, Denktas said that 1960 Cyprus Republic was a partnership republic, but Greek Cypriots destroyed this republic to unite with Greece.
Denktas explained the events developed after this incident and the existence struggle of Turkish Cypriots to Koroma. He said that they declared TRNC in 1983 by understanding that Greek Cypriots did not have the intent for a new partnership.
Noting that the intention of Greek Cypriots was also understood in recent referendum, Denktas said he hoped Islam countries would understand that a solution in Cyprus was possible only by treating equally to both sides.
Denktas said that Koroma saw that a complete state exists in TRNC with all its organs and functions. He added that in spite of embargoes over the country, which was recognized only by Turkey, TRNC has trade connections with 80 countries.
Denktas said that he hoped contacts with Sierra Leone would continue.
Koroma conveyed the greetings of President of Sierra Leone to Denktas and said that he was pleased to be in TRNC.
Noting that their position towards Turkish Cypriots was similar with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Koroma said that Turkish Cypriots fulfilled their commitments for the United Nations and thus OIC gave full support to TRNC.
Koroma said that there is the opportunity to reach peace in Cyprus, but it could be provided by recognizing rights of all people in the island and added that the result of referendum convinced them that Turkish Cypriots were considering peace in the island.
Koroma said that now it was turn of Greek Cypriots to respond similarly. He added that they supported the position of OIC towards Turkish Cypriots and would support them in the future as well.
Koroma said that there were many fields to make cooperation as developing countries.
(GC-AÖ) 17.06.2004