TRNC PM Talat: Process will reach successful conclusion

LEFKOSA (AA) – Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Saturday that efforts were under way on accession of united Cyprus to the European Union (EU), solving the Cyprus issue, adding, "although it is tough, the process will reach a successful conclusion."

Talat separately received German Ambassador to Greek Cypriot side Jochan Trebesch and Russian Ambassador to Greek Cypriot side Andrey Nostrenko.

Speaking at the meetings, Talat said that efforts had been continuing under a specific timetable and they were approaching a point where peoples in Cyprus would decide on their future.

Stressing importance of reaching an agreement that both Turkish and Greek Cypriots could accept, Talat said, "we will achieve success although it is difficult. Any hopeless situation is out of question. If we share this island, it should be a fair sharing."

Recalling that negotiations would continue until the end of the month and a summit meeting would be held with participation of also Turkey and Greece, Talat stressed that the aim was to overcome problems without leaving something to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Noting that they were aware that the currently existing situation in Cyprus would not be permanent in global conditions and decision on resolution of the issue had been made, Talat said, "as the Turkish Cypriot side, we will continue exerting efforts and doing our best to reach a common point to resolve the issue."

Meanwhile, Trebesch said that they were closely interested in Cyprus negotiations and they supported the sides’ reaching a successful conclusion.

Noting that it depended also on political will, Trebesch said that they expected whole of Cyprus to join the EU.

Meanwhile, Nostrenko said that Russia supported the negotiation process in Cyprus, adding that he would get information from Talat on the process.