Following the December 14, 2003 general elections, the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), who secured most seats in the Parliament with 19 MP’s, and the Democrat Party (DP), who came third in the elections with 7 MP’s, yesterday (January 11) agreed to form a coalition government under the heading, "The Government For Communal Reconciliation and Settlement".

In the new government, which will be formed under the leadership of CTP-BG leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, it was agreed that six of the ten ministries would belong to the CTP-BG, with the remaining four to the DP.

The distribution of the ten ministries in the government, which will be headed by Prime Minister Talat, is as follows:

CTP-BG: Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Ministry of Health and Social Aid, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Ministry of Finance.

DP: Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

In a meeting last night (January 11), the CTP-BG and DP evaluated the agreement reached and following today’s (January 12) presentation of the new government’s Council of Ministers list to President Denktas, the names of the new ministers and the government program will be announced. Following this, preparations will start for putting the new government program to a vote at the TRNC Parliament.

In a statement issued to the press, CTP-BG leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, stated that while "The Government For Communal Reconciliation and Settlement" was formed as a government between the CTP and DP, it envisages continuing its work with the aim of transparency, constant communication and relaying of information to the people and securing a communal reconciliation.

For his part, DP leader, Serdar Denktas, said he hoped the new government’s formation would be successful in not only further developing the Turkish Cypriot peoples democracy culture but, also in efforts to achieve communal reconciliation and a permanent settlement on the island. He said he believed that as the two parties they would follow this path by sincerely understanding and supporting each other.

In a meeting yesterday (January 11), President Denktas and Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, got together at the Istanbul Governor’s Office.

Following the meeting, President Denktas and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan issued a joint press statement.

For his part, Erdogan said he had exchanged views with President Denktas on the point reached in the Cyprus issue and had informed him about studies undertaken in Turkey on the Cyprus negotiation process.

Pointing out that he was pleased to hear President Denktas’ views on the Cyprus issue, Erdogan said: "Within the framework of the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General and the realities on the island our common aim is to reach a just and permanent peace. We will be in close contact and consultation with President Denktas and the TRNC government. During the meeting we also evaluated the political developments in the TRNC and the point reached in efforts to establish the new government. Thus, in efforts to be spent in achieving a lasting peace and settlement in Cyprus, we are in full agreement that the existing close cooperation and solidarity between Turkey and the TRNC will be continued".

Speaking during the press conference, President Denktas said the Cyprus issue was a joint national cause and the aim was to achieve permanent peace, reconciliation, non-repetition of past events, and to ensure the welfare and security of the Turkish Cypriot people. He said all these issues had been taken up at the meeting and the TRNC and Turkey shared the same views.

Pointing out that this close cooperation would continue, President Denktas said it would be for the benefit of the national cause.

The Greek Cypriot daily "Alithia", wrote that there are 14,000 Pontusian voters in South Cyprus.