LEFKOSA - ``Opening of Maras (Varosha) is directly connected to the Cyprus question, as a whole`` Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Sunday.
Assessing the Greek Cypriot suggestion asking for Maras to be returned (to them) in return of starting free trade (with the TRNC), Talat said, ``conditions like return of Maras or joint use of Gazimagusa Port are not just. Greek Cypriot administration is inclined towards such kind of intrigues``.
Talat said ``those two issues should not be linked``. He stated that ``asking for the return of Maras or preferential use of Gazimagusa Port is a trickster approach``, adding that ``it was impossible to accept this``.
``Cyprus question should be solved as a whole. The problem can not be solved in pieces,`` Talat said.
Talat said ``status quo is still going on the island``, stressing that the Turkish side wanted to change this but could not be sure of the Greek Cypriot administration`s position.
``The status quo can be changed within an integrated agreement. Annan plan had envisaged this. Approaches like `give Maras and get free trade in return, or direct flights can be flown from Ercan Airport in case buffer zone is given` are wrong,`` Talat emphasized.
Talat said ``integration of Turkish Cypriot economy with the whole world is important. Thus Turkish Cypriot people will get rid of the difficulties of the isolation.``
(AY-ULG) 06.09.2004