Turkey not to withdraw its troops from Northern Cyprus

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that following the economic embargoes on Turkish Cyprus, the political embargoes woul be lifted.

Asked about withdrawal of Turkish troops from the Cyprus island, Gul responded that Turkey would never withdraw its military units from Turkish Cyprus. He added that if UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s peace plan had been approved, then Turkey was going to withdraw its troops, but Greek Cypriots rejected it.

Speaking to NTV news channel, Gul said, "Step by step all positive developments will be occured and under UN plan, Turkish Cypriot deputies will attend the ssessions in the European Council and all political and economic embargo will be lifted.