Turkey to fulfil its duties to find solution to Cyprus issue

ISTANBUL (AA) – Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who also acts as leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has said on Monday, "Turkey, as a guarantor state, is determined to fulfil its responsibilities in finding a solution to the Cyprus issue."

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) office in Istanbul, Prime Minister Erdogan said, "both Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have taken necessary steps and displayed their good-will. Turkey, as a guarantor state, is determined to fulfil its responsibilities in finding a solution to the Cyprus issue."

Noting that they appreciated good-will mission of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Erdogan said, "we have taken recent steps by accepting the Annan Plan as a reference. Our government has been expending great efforts to resolve problems instead of creating new problems."

Referring to arguments whether or not a certain amount of territory would be ceded from the TRNC, Prime Minister Erdogan said, "it is not a new issue. There are similar statements in the past."

Criticizing the press for giving rise to arguments, Prime Minister Erdogan said, "we expect press organs to help us instead of misleading the public opinion. We have decided not to exploit the Cyprus issue in the upcoming elections. We will not speak about the issue during the election campaign. Now, it is turn of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side to take a decision."