Northern Cyprus P.M. Rejects Greek Cypriot Side's Request For Joint Use Of Gazimagusa Port

LEFKOSA - Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) rejected the Greek Cypriot side's request to use jointly the Gazimagusa Port saying, ''the port is already open. Why shall we use it jointly?''
Representatives of the Democratic Rally Party (DISY), the main opposition party in the Greek Cypriot side, paid a visit to Talat's Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on Friday.
Holding a joint news conference together with DISY leader Nickos Anastasiadis following the meeting, Prime Minister Talat said, ''the Cyprus issue topped agenda of our meeting. Both Mr. Anastasiadis and I believe that the Cyprus issue requires an urgent solution. We decided to form a committee between our political parties to deal with humanitarian issues.''
Prime Minister Talat noted that a Greek Cypriot school would be opened in Karpaz in September.
Meanwhile, DISY leader Anastasiadis said that they had held useful talks on issues such as missing people, opening of a Greek Cypriot school in Karpaz and Greek Cypriots' properties in TRNC.
Upon a question about new proposals of the Greek Cypriot side, Prime Minister Talat said, ''there is not any problem requiring confidence-building measures. It was the Turkish Cypriot side who voted for a solution in the referenda on April 24.''
Replying another question about opening of Gazimagusa Port for trade, Talat told reporters, ''the port has already been open. We make exports and imports through the port. Our aim is to export our goods to the European Union (EU). Why shall we use it jointly?''
(UK-ULG) 30.07.2004