‘Third Party’ Foreign Minister Visits TRNC

Koroma’s visit comes on the heels of TRNC being declared the ‘Turkish Cypriot State’ at the 31st Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers Summit that was held in Istanbul on June 14-16. The Sierra Leone Foreign Minister said that his country is ready to cooperate with TRNC.

TRNC President Rauf Denktas received Koroma and expressed his pleasure that the Foreign Minister decided to visit because it represents a positive step towards ending TRNC’s isolation. Denktas emphasized that both sides of Cyprus require same understanding.

Koroma in reply said that the Cypriot Turks met the United Nations (UN) conditions regarding the unification of the Island and that as a result OIC gave its full support and declared TRNC to be the ‘Turkish Cypriot State’. The Sierra Leone Minister added that the Cypriot Greeks need to put forth the same understanding of Turkish side.

Koroma also met with TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday. Koroma said that his country would continue to support its Muslim brothers. Talat thanked Koroma and emphasized that TRNC is pleased with the new status granted by the OIC.

Elsewhere, a US official visited the TRNC Representative Office in Washington for the first time. US Cyprus Special Envoy Thomas Weston met with TRNC Representative Osman Ertug. Weston disclosed that for the purpose of reunification the U.S. intends to take serious steps to remove the isolation of the Cypriot Turks. Weston added that a detailed package on the subject would be released soon.