Talat: Turkey-TRNC in consensus on solution

Prime Minister Talat met on Monday with the executive board of Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) headed by Omer Sabanci.

Responding questions of journalists following the meeting, Prime Minister Talat said, "TUSIAD’s approach for democratization and for the process of finding a solution to the Cyprus issue have always encouraged us. TUSIAD put forward the necessity of finding a solution to the Cyprus question. TUSIAD’s approach has very positive impacts on Turkish Cypriot people."

Talat who thanked TUSIAD, underlined that previous administrations and the current administration assumed a sensitive attitude on Turkish Cypriot people’s joining the EU with a solution before May 2004 and the issue of paving the way for Turkey on this issue.

Stressing that they were going through important days, Talat said, "we are on the eve of important developments. Finding a solution to Cyprus issue will probably pave the way for Turkey’s EU process. If Cyprus issue is solved till May 2004, Turkey will catch an atmosphere for opening of accession negotiations. We, as Turkish Cypriot people, will continue to exert every kind of efforts in order to increase the role of Turkey in international relations."

Talat said that their cooperation with Turkey continued at a very high level and there was a great consensus of opinion between the sides, and stated, "we are carrying out the process of finding a solution to Cyprus issue with determination. Developments are very promising. Turkey and TRNC will observe and go through this dynamism."