LEFKOSA - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) FM Serdar Denktas returned home on Monday after visiting Saudi Arabia.
Denktas` office stated that he has met Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, the Secretary General of Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) yesterday (Sunday), and informed him on the recent developments in Cyprus. The Council is comprised of six Gulf countries.
Noting that the Greek Cypriot administration refuses to recognize the political equality of Turkish Cypriots, and consider itself as the sole owner of the island, Denktas said that the foreign ministers of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) which convened in Istanbul last year decided to lift the unjust blockade imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. ``Therefore, TRNC was trying to further improve bilateral relations with Islam countries``, he added.
On the other hand, al-Attiyah said that they wanted to improve good relations with Turkish Cypriots, and stressed that they should have the right to political equality and self-determination.
Al-Attiyah said that they supported UN`s efforts for a settlement of Cyprus problem, and added, ``as GCC, we will extend all the support to prevent our Muslim brothers be isolated; to help them to make their voice be heard in international fora; and be represented in international organizations.``