Talat: Turkey Won't Open Its Ports To Greek Cypriots

LEFKOSA - TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat said on Tuesday that it was not possible for Turkey to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels while the latter's boycott on Turkish Cypriot sea/air-ports is still in effect.
Responding to questions of journalists, Talat said that ''the additional protocol-- extending Turkey's customs deal to new EU members, including Greek Cypriot side-- is going to be signed, but this does not mean that the ports will be opened by Turkey. While the Greek Cypriot side boycotts the ports and airports of TRNC, Turkey can't open its ports to Greek Cypriots.''
-PREVENTION OF RUSSIAN TOURISTS' VISIT TO TRNC-
Regarding the Russian move preventing Russian tourists to visit TRNC, Talat said that TRNC Foreign Ministry undertook a diplomatic initiative against Russia about the issue.
Referring to the refusal by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (who recently visited Greek Cypriot side) to meet TRNC authorities, Talat said that ''this attitude is not in line with the objective attitude of Russia, which is a member of UN Security Council... I don't think that Russia is an enemy of us, but we must explain our views better to Russia.''
-CONFIDENTIAL MEETINGS IN BRUSSELS-
Upon a question, TRNC President Talat said that the meetings between Turkish and Greek Cypriot delegations continued in Brussels. ''The meetings are confidential. We will give information when they finish,'' said Talat.
Turkish and Greek Cypriot delegations have been working on the financial assistance and direct trade regulations (which are on EU agenda) for a certain period of time. TRNC delegation is headed by TRNC Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev and Greek Cypriot delegation is headed by Greek Cypriot Diplomatic Office Director Tassos Conis.