Erdogan: Recognition Of Turkish Cyprus As A State By O.I.C. Important Step

ANKARA (CÝHAN) - The Turkish Prime Minister said the recognition of the Turkish Cyprus as the "Turkish Cypriot State" by the Organization of the Islamic Conferences is a significant step for Turkish Cyprus.
Erdogan, addressing the parliamentary group of the Justice and Development Party on Tuesday, said that to understand the significance of the decision on Turkish Cyprus by the OIC, "It should be looked at in the perspective of the 30-year history of the island."
The joint declaration of the OIC Foreign Minister Summit in Istanbul last week said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be represented at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) under the name of the ''Turkish Cypriot State'' as was foreseen in the failed plan of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to reunify Cyprus.
The self-recognized TRNC formerly had observer community status in the OIC. However, the OIC decided to elevate its status to observer state in the Istanbul summit.
Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974 when Turkey took control of the northern part of the island in response to a Greek coup that hoped to unite island with Greece.
Regarding the upcoming NATO Summit in Istanbul, Erdogan acknowledged that there would be certain problems during summit period. "We are trying to minimize these problems. The security officials did all the preparation ahead of summit."
Security across Turkey is under the spotlight in the build-up to the NATO Summit which will be held in Istanbul on June 28-29. Istanbul will be under air, sea and land security watch during the NATO summit.
Nearly three thousand delegates from 46 countries and 3500 journalists are expected to arrive in Turkey to follow the Summit.
Erdogan said that the NATO summit would help the promotion of Turkey. "We should show our country at its best, as host country." Turkish Prime Minister said that the protests against the NATO summit should be allowed within democratic rules.
Erdogan called on the Turkish NGOs planning to protest against NATO to take into account the credit and esteem of Turkey.
Turkish and foreign NGOs already are planning to hold joint mass demonstrations to protest NATO and America during the NATO Summit in Istanbul on June 28-29.
The Prime Minister added that his party helped to increase confidence in politicians and political parties.