Weston: We do not Object to ‘Cyprus Turkish State’

Weston defended that TRNC President Rauf Denktas’ allegations that the U.S. is obstructing the recognition of TRNC do not reflect reality. Weston also stressed that OIC could refer to the Cyprus Turkish community however they like, adding that the U.S. administration has no objections to the expression ‘Cyprus Turkish State’. Weston pointed out that the discussion in OIC is not about the recognition of TRNC, but about how it should be called.

The U.S. is currently preparing a package that will detail how direct trading with TRNC will be handled. The package will reportedly be released after the E.U.’s aid package. Weston said the U.S. administration wants to see the European Union’s aid package to TRNC be the catalyst that brings about an end to the country’s isolation. He added that the Greeks would not be able to veto such a package because the E.U. will reach the decision by absolute majority.

Elsewhere, TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat attended a series of meetings in Brussels. He said that many difficulties were encountered with the E.U. package that is expected to be announced at the end of the month. Talat indicated that the Greeks tried to obstruct the package.

Talat also met with E.U. Enlargement Commissioner Günther Verheugen and said that an E.U. representative bureau in TRNC could be opened by the end of the year.

‘Recognition’ pressure on Turkey

Meanwhile, the declaration of the E.U. summit to be held in June 17-18 will reportedly call on Ankara to include the Cypriot Greek side in the Customs Union agreement.