In the final communiqué released after the 30^th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers meeting, support was given for the Turkish Cypriot people to obtain their legal rights.

Stressing that the new positive developments directed towards building confidence between the two sides, which could speed up the efforts for reaching a settlement in Cyprus, were pleasing, the final communiqué gave support for the Turkish Cypriot people to obtain their legal rights.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, who returned to the island yesterday, in his statement after arriving at Gecitkale Airport said that during the meeting, as usual, the Greek Cypriot side together with some countries had engaged in lobbying activities against the TRNC.

Stressing that despite the efforts carried out by the Greek Cypriot administration to alter the communiqué, they were unsuccessful in their efforts to alter the text related with Cyprus issue and that following intense efforts carried out together with Turkey a positive result had been reached, Minister Ertugruloglu pointed out that the final communiqué called upon the recognition of the equality of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Pointing out that the communique also underlined the fact that South Cyprus’ EU membership process had negatively affected the Cyprus issue, Ertugruloglu said: "Another meaningful result for us is the decision to hold the 31^st session of the Foreign Ministers meeting of the Conference of Islamic Organisation in Istanbul."