Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Babacan, who paid one-day official visit to the TRNC, and President Mehmet Ali Talat, made a joint press meeting after the 3.5 hour long meeting of their delegations.
In the meeting, President Talat said that the negotiation process regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem continued and the Turkish Cypriot side was thankful for the strong support from Turkey. Talat continued saying "We really need this. As you know the only unconditional support for the Turkish Cypriots comes from Turkey. Therefore this support is extremely important for us."
Speaking in the press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan stated that there was a complete harmony between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the solution attempts and added that, Turkey would continue to support the comprehensive solution efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side as they have always done. Babacan said: "Certainly achieving solution on the island cannot be just through the efforts and good will of the Turkish Cypriot side. It is crucial for all parties involved to be seriously and genuinely aware of the UN Secretary General's goodwill mission on the issue. The established UN parameters and the agreements between leaders should also be taken into consideration."
Continuing his remarks Babacan said that a new partnership of political equality, genuine bizonality and equal status of the two constituent states would constitute the basis of the solution. He added: "Surely the new partnership will not only contribute to the peace, prosperity and stability of the island but whole region will benefit from this atmosphere."
Minister Babacan pointed that the continuity of the guarantee and alliance agreements are the sine quo non s of any solution to be achieved in Cyprus. He also underlined that, in a future settlement, Turkey, as a quarantor country, would continue taking the necessary steps and fullfill its responsibilities arising from the the international treaties.
Babacan also said that, despite the Turkish Cypriots are the ones who were making every sacrifice to reach a fair and lasting solution in the island, unfortunately they were the ones facing international isolation and embargoes.
Upon a question regarding Turkish Actor Attila Olgac's claims concerning his acts during the 1974 Peace Operation, the Turkish Foreign Minister said, legal process has been intitiated on the issue.