LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Monday that significant developments would be recorded for his country during the European Union (EU) Acting Presidency of the Netherlands.
Talat told reporters that EU Acting Presidency of the Netherlands was very important and recalled that he would go to this country on Tuesday to meet Atzo Nicolai, the Dutch State Secretary for European Affairs.
Regulations on free trade with TRNC and how to use 259 million Euro assistance would be shaped up during the Acting Presidency of the Netherlands, Talat said.
Talat noted that he would express TRNC's expectations from the EU during his meeting with Nicolai.
TRNC PM Talat stated that Turkish Cypriots had met expectations of the world, and noted that the world wanted accession of a united Cyprus to the EU.
The world had changed its perspective on TRNC since the Greek Cypriot side was the party which did not want reunification, Talat said.
Talat pointed out that TRNC officials were trying to enable free trade, develop TRNC economy and pave the way for their people.
They should show in their meetings that free trade depended on ending the isolation of Turkish Cypriot people, Talat added.
Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in simultaneous referenda held in the island on April 24 while the Greek Cypriots rejected it. Therefore, Turkish Cypriot people expect international community to end their isolation and lift embargoes imposed on them.
(BRC) 12.07.2004