LEFKOSA - Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat met Atzo Nicolai, Dutch State Secretary for European Affairs, on Wednesday.
After the meeting, Talat told reporters that Nicolai and he had a very good meeting.
Stressing that the Netherlands was the acting president of the European Union (EU), Talat said that Nicolai and he discussed regulation studies on trade and free trade issues and responsibilities of the EU on ending isolation of Turkish Cypriots in their meeting.
Talat noted that the Netherlands exerted great efforts in regulation studies.
On the other hand, Nicolai said that Talat and he held a very open and fruitful meeting.
Recalling that he earlier had a meeting with Talat as well, Nicolai said that his visit to the island was very important.
Nicolai stressed that decisions on direct trade and financial aid that were taken by the Council of Europe on April 26 would form important steps for a solution on the island.
Noting that the United Nations had a significant role in solution of Cyprus issue, Nicolai added that the EU did not take a direct role in it.
(EÖ-AÖ) 01.09.2004