TRNC should be recognized if it votes ‘yes’

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has said, "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be recognized if the Turkish Cypriot side votes in favor of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan, and the Greek Cypriot side votes against in the referendum on April 24, 2004."

When a journalist quoted President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan as saying that if the Turkish Cypriot side said "yes" and the Greek Cypriot said "no" in the referendum, Azerbaijan would be one of the first countries recognizing TRNC, Gul said, "if the Turkish Cypriot side votes in favor of the Annan Plan, and the Greek Cypriot side votes against in the referendum, we will do everything in our power for recognition of TRNC. Of course, such an initiative will be launched in friendly countries first."

"In that case, all embargoes and obstacles should be lifted. The TRNC should be recognized finally. We will pay visits to friendly countries first and the European Union (EU) member countries and the rest of the world later to explain the Cyprus issue to everyone," he added.