Talat: E.U. Should Keep Its Promise It Made On April 26th, 2004 To Lift Isolation Of Turkish Cypriots

BRUSSELS (AA) - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat who is currently in Brussels to have talks with EU officials said on Wednesday that the EU should keep its promise it had made on April 26th, 2004 to lift isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
     Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Luxembourg's Minister Delegate for European Affairs Nicolas Schmit, Talat said, ''we want solution in the island. We want a united Cyprus. We can start holding negotiations to this end. However, the UN Secretary General should be convinced.''
     Noting that the Greek Cypriot side should be urged for UN's becoming intervener again, Talat said, ''the EU also wants it. Elections will be held in the TRNC on February 20th, 2005. We can start peace talks even before the elections because reaching a solution in the island is more important than elections. However, isolation of the TRNC should be lifted on that stage. This is also important. We do not want to be an obstacle before Turkey on its path to the EU. We want solution. International community should encourage Greek Cypriots for resolution.''
     (GC-MS)
2005-01-26