LEFKOSA - Mehmet Ali Talat, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), demanded that necessary steps be taken by all countries to end isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.
Replying to a question, Talat said he welcomed the support expended by Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to TRNC and statements of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that ''direct flights'' would start to TRNC.
''Those are important decisions and important steps. We of course want all the countries to make steps to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots. Putting forth this intention is important, as well as putting the steps into force,'' Talat said.
RESPONSE TO IACOVOU
When recalled the claim of Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Georgios Iacovou that Maras was not proposed to them as a trade-off for removal of embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriots during the talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot delegations, Talat said, ''there are witnesses. It occurred in front of everybody. If he can say it did not happen despite all the witnesses, then this means he is very bold. He is very bold not to say the truths.''
When recalled the news reports that Turkey was not informed about Maras proposal, Talat said, ''this is not right. This is out of question.''
DECISION OF GREEK CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT DOES NOT BIND US
Replying to a question about Greek Cypriot parliament's approving the EU Constitution on Thursday, Talat said he has sent letters to EU member countries and the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on this issue, stating that, ''Greek Cypriot assembly does not have the authority to make decision on behalf of whole Cyprus. We have informed both the Secretary General and the EU member countries that this decision does not bind us.''