"TURKEY SHOULDN'T SIGN A PROTOCOL THAT WILL PUT TRNC FACE TO FACE WITH NEW TROUBLES "
Nicosia- Deniz Baykal the president of the main opposition in Turkey, the Republican People Party, has urged Turkey not sign a protocol that would put Turkish Cypriots against new problems. Deniz Baykal at the end of the two-day visit to Cyprus to show his respect to President Rauf Denktash for his lifelong service for the Turkish Cypriot community spoke to the press at the Ercan Airport before departing back to Turkey.
Referring to the controversial additional protocol that will include 10 new member states including Greek Cypriot side into the Turkey's customs union agreement with EU Baykal said "We are at a critical point. Turkey should not sign a protocol that will put TRNC face to face with new troubles." Baykal warned that, "The new protocol should not deepen the isolation of TRNC" and cautioned that greatest attention should be
shown on the issue.
Baykal stated that a common understanding has been observed on all Turkish Cypriot fronts. During the visit Baykal also met with Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and main opposition National Unity Party leader Dervish Eroglu. Pointing to the importance of the role Turkey will play on the Cyprus issue in the future, Baykal said Turkey should also take great care not to degrade the peaceful, cooperative image of Turkish Cypriots.
He also warned that if Turkey signed the protocol before the date when Turkey starts accession talks with EU on September 3, and if the stage comes where the Greek Cypriot flagged ships would dock at Turkey's ports that would bore grave consequences for the future of the Turkish Cypriots.
(TAK:ID/SEL)