ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that giving mutual concessions was obligatory for a solution in Cyprus.
Erdogan met with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas.
Following the meeting, Erdogan told reporters that they could not come to a solution only with the concession of the Turkish side.
Erdogan said that he expressed views of his party about Cyprus issue during his meeting with Denktas which was held prior to the summit on Cyprus to take place in the Presidential Palace in the afternoon.
They exchanged views about the process, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan hoped that a beneficial decision would come out of the summit and said, ''we want the meeting to be held in the Hague and the following process to be beneficial for the residents of TRNC.''
Asked if his views about referendum had changed and if he shared Denktas' view about that issue, Erdogan said, ''I think that the decision to be made in the summit will determine the move of Mr. Denktas.''
Erdogan pointed out that they would support every decision in favor of a solution and they expressed that view in every platform.
Mutual concession was obligatory for a solution, Erdogan stressed.
Erdogan said that the Greek Cypriot side should also fulfil its obligations.
Asked if he had a difference of opinion with Denktas, Erdogan said, ''everything may not always coincide with each other. But, in general, what is important is happiness and tranquility of TRNC. It is adequate for us to share similar views about this issue.''
TRNC Parliament Speaker Vehbi Zeki Serter, TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, TRNC Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas, TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu and AK Party deputy leader Saban Disli were also in attendance at the meeting.
(BRC-Öª) 06.03.2003