NEW YORK (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that they did not receive any proposal on Turkish troops' withdrawal from the island.
Following his meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Erdogan held a press conference in New York on Thursday.
Erdogan stressed that Annan approached positively towards the elimination of isolations on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
When a reporter said, ''what did UN Secretary General Annan say with regard to Cyprus issue? Did Annan and you discuss U.S. planes' flights to Ercan Airport? Could you tell us about the response to Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's letter on Turkey's proposals for Cyprus?'' Erdogan said, ''the letter was given before... There are positive approaches. International aviation organization will make a decision on the issue. Talks are continuing. We are explaining sufferings (of TRNC) to several countries and ask their support. If such a support takes place, we believe that there will be positive results.''
When asked whether Kofi Annan would launch a new initiative, Erdogan noted that the report dated May 28th, 2004 was a positive report by Annan recommending the elimination of political and economic restrictions and barriers on TRNC.
Quoting Annan as saying that he would launch an initiative in regard to this report, Erdogan indicated, ''I think that he will have talks with members of the (UN) Security Council and work for the decision to be announced as soon as possible.''
When a reporter stated, ''U.S. Department of State spokesman said that U.S. soldiers will fly to Iraq through Ercan Airport,'' Erdogan noted that he did not have any information on this issue.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said that Sir Kieran Prendergast, the Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Political Affairs, had positive impressions.
Asked whether Annan expected Turkey to take more steps, Erdogan stated, ''Turkey took necessary steps. Turkish Cypriots also took necessary steps by approving the plan.''
When a reporter said that during his meeting with Annan, Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos demanded that Turkish troops should withdraw from the island, Erdogan said that they did not receive any proposal on this issue.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said that all countries should jointly fight against terrorism.
When recalled of German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel's statement on a link between Turkey's EU membership and the steps that Turkey should take on Cyprus issue, Erdogan underlined, ''all criteria were determined at December 17th summit. Merkel is not our interlocutor. Our interlocutor is EU Commission. We are continuing our works with the commission.''
2005-06-10