Turkish P.M. Says It Is Time For World To Establish Direct Relations With Northern Cyprus

DUSHANBE - It was time for the world to establish direct economic, commercial, social and cultural relations with Turkish Cypriots, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
Making a keynote speech at the 8th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Tajik capital of Dushanbe, Erdogan reminded that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) joined economic, technical and cultural activities of the organization.
Erdogan noted that a workshop was held between May 5th and 7th, 2004 in TRNC on waste water administration and refinement technology, with the participation of 6 ECO-member countries and ECO secretariat .
''This workshop was the first international meeting taken place in TRNC after the simultaneous referenda held in Cyprus (TRNC and the Greek Cypriot side) on April 24th, 2004. Turkish Cypriots should not be harmed more since they aren't responsible for the actual situation. Steps aiming to end unjust isolation of Turkish Cypriots should be taken without delay,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan added, ''it is time (for the world) to establish economic, commercial, social and cultural relations with Turkish Cypriots. Establishing direct air and sea links and direct trade relations with Turkish Cypriots will be a good beginning. Turkish Cypriots need to increase their trade with ECO members, and these countries should contribute to TRNC's development by eliminating restrictions.''

-FORMATION OF PERMANENT SECRETARIAT OF ECO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY-
Erdogan said, ''we believe that institutionalization of ECO's business forum will encourage more and more the development of private (business) sector in our country, and speed up trade among regions. In the business forum held in Istanbul in October 2002, we suggested the formation of a permanent secretariat for the ECO's Chamber of Commerce & Industry. This initiative was welcomed during the 12th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers. Turkish Union of Chamber of Commerce & Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) offered to host the Permanent Secretariat of ECO Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Istanbul. Our proposal is still valid.''
''It is impossible to increase relations and collaboration between regions without adequate transports and communication facilities. Istanbul-Tehran-Turkmenabad-Tashkent-Almaty railway line should be considered as a great project, serving this aim,'' Erdogan noted.

-RICH ENERGY POTENTIAL-
PM Erdogan drew attention that one of the most important issues to be taken up during the summit was how to use the rich energy potential of the region, and said, ''Turkey is at the crossroads of the energy corridors coming from the Central Asia, Caucasus and Central Europe. And, therefore, it is important in intercontinental transportation.''
Noting that drug control had a particular importance as regards ECO member countries, Erdogan appreciated efforts of the organization to fight against drug smuggling.
Erdogan said that ECO member countries could benefit from Turkey's experiences to fight three important threats against humanity, i.e. drugs, organized crime and terrorism.

-AFGHANISTAN-
Erdogan said that Afghanistan had made significant progress in the last three years, and stressed the importance of upcoming elections regarding the development of this country.
''There are still serious problems we need to overcome. We should fight against every kind of extremist movement and illicit drug trafficking in order to maintain peace,'' Erdogan said.
Preaching that international support to Afghanistan should continue, Erdogan added that ECO should continue to back Afghan people, who fought for a brighter future.
(BRC-ULG) 14.09.2004