Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas yesterday (18 August) met with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Ankara in order to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

Speaking in a joint press conference after the meeting, Foreign Minister Gul pointing out that Turkey and the TRNC would jointly follow the Cyprus national cause, said both Turkey and the TRNC desired a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. Explaining that with their votes in the April 24 referendum the Turkish Cypriot people in Cyprus demonstrated their desire for a comprehensive settlement, Gul said this was also supported by Turkey and the whole world has observed that it is the Greek Cypriot side who is responsible for there being no comprehensive settlement on the island today.

Pointing out that during the meeting they had discussed the Cyprus issue in detail and had clarified political and economic issues as well as issues regarding the UN and EU, Gul said they had identified the paths to be followed, the most important issues in front of them and their views regarding these issues. He said without a doubt the national cause would be jointly followed by Turkey and the TRNC right until the very end.

Drawing attention to the fact that the whole world had observed the reality that emerged from the April 24 referendum in Cyprus, the Turkish Foreign Minister said unfortunately, promises made had not yet materialized and the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey still had expectations from the EU. He added that he hoped by the beginning of September the EU would take concrete decisions regarding this.

Reminding that there were certain things that had to be carried out in order to end the TRNC’s isolation, Foreign Minister Gul said: "There are promises that the EU has made and these should be kept. There is the UN Secretary-General’s report, which should be debated in the Security Council. These are justified expectations".

For his part, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said, at the moment, the priority was to seek the EU Council’s approval, without changing relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU as envisaged by the EU Commission.

Prime Minister Talat said the EU Council’s approval was very important for the Turkish Cypriots and was an issue that should be stressed upon.

Reminding that in the forthcoming days two important regulations aimed at lifting the TRNC’s isolation would be taken up the EU, the Prime Minister said there were serious difficulties on these issues and this could result in a conflict between the EU Council and Commission.

Prime Minister Talat said the Turkish Cypriot people had not only carried out their responsibilities towards a settlement, but at the same time had clearly put forward their settlement vision as well as their views for eliminating the Cyprus issue.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot people could not be held responsible for settling the Cyprus issue, the Prime Minister said relieving the Turkish Cypriot people economically was extremely important.

Pointing out that the EU and international community had responsibilities to settle the Cyprus issue, he said: "The Turkish Cypriot people want political equality, to unite with the world and for the isolation to end. They don’t long to possess the rights of the Greek Cypriots, therefore, the world should give these rights to the Turkish Cypriots".

The Prime Minister also stated that the TRNC and Turkey were working in harmony and that there were no differences of opinion.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriots were faced with many difficulties because they were a small community, which was not recognized, and that it was also difficult to communicate with international institutions, Prime Minister Talat said Turkey’s continued support on this issue was extremely important for the TRNC.