TRNC President Rauf Denktas yesterday received representatives from the Anatolian Lions Businessmen’s Association.

Speaking during the meeting, President Denktas stressed that the TRNC’s position would become much better and its economy would be further promoted. Pointing out that studies carried out by economists are still continuing and that the TRNC would be proclaimed as a free zone, President Denktas said if this was realised, whether the TRNC entered the EU or not would make no difference and in fact the TRNC could obtain bigger opportunities by not entering the EU.

President Denktas also announced that a law office would be formed for settling the issue of property through compensation and that the services provided by this office would be free of charge.

Referring to the problems that would arise with the implementation of the Annan plan, President Denktas specifically emphasised that the most fertile lands would be given to the Greek Cypriots. Stating that those who went to the South have seen for themselves how Turkish properties were ruined, the President said Turkish Cypriot lands were seized through the compulsory expropriation of their lands by the Greek Cypriots.

Adding that, in time, the Annan plan would derogate the status of the Turkish Cypriots to a minority and that in the event of entering the EU, Turkey’s guarantorship rights would be rendered ineffective, President Denktas said since Turkey is not in the EU, Cyprus’ entry into the EU could not be immediately materialised.

Pointing out that a ploy is being played to eliminate Turkey’s rights over Cyprus, President Denktas said: "However, we need to be very determined. We should be in cooperation, unanimity and in agreement and make our voice heard to the whole world that we will not accept any agreement which will eliminate our state, sovereignty and Turkey’s guarantee."

TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, who is still continuing with his contacts in Ankara, yesterday evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus issue with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During the meeting, the point reached in the Cyprus issue was evaluated and within this framework the recent initiatives and expansions of the TRNC were taken up.

According to information received from the Prime Ministry’s Press Office, during the meeting it was stressed that Turkey would continue to support the Turkish Cypriot people in all fields and the importance of maintaining national unity and solidarity during this period was also underlined.

Within the framework of his contacts in Ankara, Prime Minister Eroglu yesterday also paid a visit to the Turkish Chief of General Staff, Full General, Hilmi Ozkok.