ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul left for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Monday.
He will represent Turkish government at the 30th anniversary of July 20 Peace and Freedom Day.
Holding a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Gul said that ''a new era has begun in Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot people's expectations will come true sooner or later. No one can prevent it any longer.''
''Cyprus Peace Operation, which Turkey staged as a part of its international obligations, was aiming to protect the interests of not only our country and Turkish Cypriot people, but also to bring peace and stability in the region,'' Gul said.
Gul stated that he would meet TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat to discuss recent developments in Cyprus.
Noting that this year's celebrations had a particular importance, Gul said that referenda were held in Cyprus for the first time since 1974, and Turkish Cypriots demonstrated that they favored peace. ''However'', Gul said, ''the referenda proved that the Greek Cypriot side was thinking differently''.
Gul noted that a new status quo had been established in the island after April 24th referenda and said that he would have the opportunity to review these developments with (President) Denktas and (Prime Minister) Talat.
Recalling that the European Union (EU) Commission had prepared a new regulation on Cyprus, Gul said that he expected this regulation to come into force as soon as possible.
Calling on the Turkish businessmen, Gul said, ''Turkish Cypriots' future is bright. I invite you all to invest in TRNC.''
He also called businessmen of other countries to invest in Turkish Cyprus, and added that he would inaugurate a big hotel in TRNC during his visit.
(BRC-ULG) 19.07.2004