"Result can be reached if both sides work with good will"

ISTANBUL (AA) – President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Sunday that a negotiation process has started in Cyprus, noting that, "we think that a result can be obtained if both sides work with good will."

Denktas spoke at a news conference at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport and gave information about the talks which he had with the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and Greek Cypriot side in New York.

Pointing out that a negotiation process started in Cyprus, Denktas said, "time is short. We think that a result can be obtained if both sides work in good will. Of course, fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey’s fundamental rights on Cyprus should be protected. There are two control valves in front of us. The first one is holding a referendum about the agreement that will be reached. If our people do not like the result, they have the right to say this in the referendum. We will prepare an agreement which will meet needs of our people. Greek Cypriot side will do the same thing. The second valve is presentation of the agreement to the Turkish Parliament. It should be a balanced and lasting agreement which the Turkish nation will also accept. We thought we could work with good will. We will work. All of us will be pleased if we can obtain a positive result."