LEFKOSHA (CIHAN) - The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat is due in the United Kingdom on Wednesday on an official visit. The Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister is to be received by the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on July 1.
It will be first-ever meeting at ministerial level between Turkish Cypriot officials and British officials since 1974. It will also be another boost for the Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Talat following his previous reception by US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Strew and the KKTC Prime Minister will take up the developments in Cyprus following the April 24 referendum. The lifting of sanctions against Turkish Cypriots and the process leading to the international recognition of Turkish Cyprus will be on the agenda at the meeting between Talat and Jack Straw.
The Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister will also meet businessmen and journalists on July 1. Talat will in addition carry out bilateral talks with representatives of the British House of Commons.
Talat will return to Cyprus on July 3.
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 which sought to unite the island with the Greek mainland.
Internationally recognized Greek Cyprus entered the EU on May 1 while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, has not yet received international recognition despite its strong support for the UN peace plan.