The TRNC delegation led by TRNC President Rauf Denktas went to Ankara yesterday to evaluate the latest developments on the Cyprus issue with Turkish state and government officials.

Within the framework of the visit to the Turkish capital, President Denktas made his first visit to the Turkish Chief of Staff General Hilmi Ozkok yesterday.

President Denktas, within the framework of his contacts in Ankara, will also visit the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Bulent Arinc, today. Following his visit to Arinc, President Denktas together with Arinc, will address the Turkish Grand National Assembly and deliver a speech to the parliamentarians.

The Ankara summit with Turkish officials will take place at 16:00 today. Today, President Denktas will also get together with the leader of the Turkish Justice and Development Party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Speaking to the press before leaving the TRNC, President Denktas pointing out that they are going to Ankara in order to have contacts with the Turkish government before going to the Hague, said the heads of the government and the parliament are also included in the delegation since the decision would be taken by the government and parliament in the forthcoming period.

The President said that when the first plan was presented the impression was given that the Turkish Cypriots were prepared or even forced to sign every document put in front of them and he had struggled and demanded some changes.

President Denktas added that pressure continued following the submission of the second plan and its revised version which were introduced as a last chance to be taken immediately.

Explaining that this may be the final opportunity in the current negotiations, President Denktas said other talks might start and added that the efforts of the foreign world to solve the Cyprus issue never come to an end.

President Denktas stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side’s efforts will continue, if the UN Secretary General gives us an opportunity to further amend the plan.

Referring to the deficiencies in the plan, President Denktas said unless these deficiencies are overcome, the plan would be incompleted and it is impossible to complete these until March 30.

Speaking before his meeting with President Denktas, the Turkish Chief of Staff General Hilmi Ozkok, expressed that it was a great honour for him to host the TRNC President Denktas, and said President Denktas’ visit was very timely.

For his part, President Denktas expressed his pleasure on being with the military officials and thanked General Ozkok for his sensitivity, determination and support on the Cyprus issue.