LEFKOSA - The Turkish Cypriot president expressed his hope that he could make public resumption of fully-fledged talks with the Greek Cypriot leader in a week.
President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said he was hopeful that Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and he could declare the resumption of comprehensive talks when they met again in the island on July 25th.
"Thus a new solution process will begin in Cyprus," Talat told a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Lefkosa, TRNC.
Talat said that Turkey was always standing by TRNC, and extending unconditional support to their country.
"We know that Turkey`s support will be with us from now on, and I think this is very important in this sensitive process before us regarding the Cyprus problem," he said.
The Turkish Cypriot president said that Turkey and his country backed a permanent solution based on United Nations (UN) parameters.
"Turkish Cypriot side wants to settle Cyprus problem as soon as possible by a solution based on our political equality and equal status of bi-zonal two founder states," Talat said.
On water problem in the island, Talat said that Turkey was ready to extend every type of assistance.
"At first, we may transport water by tankers and then we can bring water to the island through a pipeline. In any cases, the Turkish premier said that Turkey would support transferring water to the Greek Cypriot administration," Talat also said.
Talat said that he had informed the Greek Cypriot authorities but they had not received a formal answer yet.
(BRC)
(DIP)