LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said on Monday that the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) in favor of the TRNC was an important step, noting, ''the world started to understand the Turkish Cypriots. It is the first step.''
Under the decision of PACE, two TRNC parliamentarians will be able to attend all sessions at the PACE including sessions of the general assembly and commissions. They will be able to explain their views, but they cannot vote.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Talat said that peaceful attitude that was put forth by the Turkish Cypriots in referenda held in Cyprus on April 24 was supported by this decision. Talat stated that Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos should give up the mentality that ''he would punish Turkish Cypriots''.
Recalling that the issue had been discussed and on the agenda for a long time, Talat noted that Greek Cypriot parliament speaker Dimitris Christofias sent a letter to the Council's secretary general asking time to discuss the issue and said that he would debate the issue with him (Talat).
Talat added that secretary general noted that the issue would be taken up during the meeting at the beginning of October.
Noting that Greek Cypriot parliament did not make a concrete proposal, Talat said, ''Council Chairmanship convened and started to work to put into force this draft which was earlier prepared. It will be put to vote in the General Assembly today. But I received information that all groups support this decision. Turkish Cypriots will be represented in the Council of Europe with one associate member and one alternate member. They will have observer status in the General Assembly and they can explain their views. They will not be accredited with Greek Cypriots. It is very important. They will attend meetings as representatives of Turkish Cypriot community under the title of Cyprus. It is a very important step.''
Talat said, ''it is impossible for Papadopoulos administration to isolate Turkish Cypriots from the world and it won't happen.''
Stating that Turkish Cypriots hoped that Cyprus issue would be resolved, he said, ''if its is not resolved, Turkish Cypriots are not responsible for it.''
(EÖ-MS) 04.10.2004