LEFKOSA - Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Saturday that there were very serious and important opportunities in front of Turkish Cypriots at the stage reached in Cyprus question.
Speaking at a meeting of Northern Cyprus Young Entrepreneurs Jaycees Association, Talat said Turkey would enter to adaptation process of the European Union (EU) if it can get a date for starting entry negotiations. Talat said to this end Turkey should be obliged to solve Cyprus question more quickly.
Talat said Cyprus would continue to stay as an obstacle, in fact a gradually growing obstacle in front of Turkey in the near future, stating that, ''this should be known and understood. Otherwise, more serious problems can be faced.''
Talat said, ''now that we have many serious opportunities and dangers in front of us. Turkey's getting a start date from the EU for entry negotiations, negotiation process and entrance to adaptation process...Those are very important opportunities for Turkey and for us but at the same time this includes dangers for us. Because it is in question for Turkey, which has entered such a cooperation, to solve Cyprus question more quickly.''
Talat said Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities to get a start date from the EU and to solve Cyprus question. He said, ''Turkish Cypriot people voted 'yes'; what could Turkey do more?...Both sides should say 'yes' to reach an agreement.''
Talat said Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul had made statements to Greek Cypriot media and stressed that Turkey sincerely wanted this agreement. Talat said he visited Southern Cyprus two times.
-''NO PROMISES GIVEN BEFORE REFERENDUM''-
Mentioning the promises, claimed to be given by the EU before Annan Plan was put to referendum, Talat said this issue was speculated and did not reflect the facts.
Talat said promises like 'we will recognize Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic' were not given before the referendum.
''We were only told that TRNC will win in case it acts together with the world,'' Talat said.
TRNC Prime Minister said, ''there are not any promises aiming at deceiving Turkish Cypriot people.''
Talat said, ''however there is Council of Europe resolution, dated April 26th, taken after the referendum. There are the statements of the United States. There is a financial contribution which it said it would expend.''
Talat reiterated that financial and direct trade regulation which the EU Commission prepared for financial contribution to Turkish Cypriots was very important for them.
(AY) 19.09.2004