Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat while answering questions by the TAK reporter, stressed that for a new phase to start in the Cyprus issue and the relations with the Greek Cypriot administration "the ball is in the Greek Cypriot side".

Prime Minister Talat stressed that, Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos is making a wrong estimation. He said, "Papadopoulos thinks that he will manage to take a step forward in Cyprus issue by preserving the present conditions until December and as December approaches to put forward various Greek Cypriot demands as a prerequisite in front of Turkey’s demand to take a date from the EU. Talat said, "This is wrong estimation, Papadopoulos is dreaming." He added, "This is not possible, because Turkey has taken further steps than it was expected from her. Turkey has taken serious steps in order to solve the Cyprus problem. When giving a date to Turkey, further requests should not be put forward by the EU."

Prime Minister Talat underlined that while giving a date to Turkey, he would not expect requests like the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus or opening of the Varosha District. Talat said, these issues were a part of the Annan Plan and asked, "How will Papadopoulos urge these since he rejected the Annan Plan? How can this take place and, how will the world exert pressure on Turkey on such an issue. Putting such an extreme demand in front of Turkey is not possible. I do not expect either Turkey to make such a jest".

Prime Minister said, serious developments for lifting the isolation would take place from September onwards and by the ratification of the free trade regulation Turkish Cypriot economic would take momentum. He noted that, in case the free trade regulation is not ratified, the implementation of merely the Green Line Regulation would cause problems.

As long as good will does not persist in the Greek Cypriot side, it is difficult to develop trade between the two sides, said Talat and continued, "For example, the Greek Cypriot side does not by onions from us, even newspapers which seem to be radical does not publish advertisements belonging to Turkish Cypriots. It is alleged that, they buy goods from our producers. The Greek Cypriot merchants are not making purchases in the North since they are scared. What kind of a freedom is this?" Prime Minister expressed that these at the same time against the EU norms and pointed out that there is deficiency of democracy in the South; fear is deep in the sole of the community (Greek Cypriot). They call the South "free areas" however, it has become a "slave area".

"Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktaþ's Letter to El Pais (2 July 2004)"

TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. SERDAR R. DENKTAÞ DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS DISTRIBUTED AT THE 31ST SESSION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS HELD IN ISTANBUL, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY BETWEEN 14-16 JUNE, 2004.

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY US AMBASSADORS
STUART HOLLIDAY AND THOMAS WESTON
ON JUNE 8, 2004

IS THERE A "GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS?" - Michael Steven

PRIME MINISTER TALAT’S LETTER TO VERHEUGEN (24.05.04)

TURKISH CYPRIOTS SAY "LIFT EMBARGO NOW AND HELP US TO COMPENSATE PROPERTY-OWNERS ON BOTH SIDES"

EXCERPTS FROM STATEMENTS AND DECISIONS/RESOLUTIONS ABOUT THE REFERANDA HELD IN CYPRUS ON 24 APRIL 2004

REFERENDUM 
RESULTS IN THE FOREIGN PRESS

NEGOTIATION PROCESS

WHAT WE WANT? - Rauf R. Denktaþ, 
2 December 2003

SERIES OF ARTICLES SHOWING THE PRESENT CONDITION OF TURKISH CYPRIOT VILLAGES IN SOUTH CYPRUS