National Unity Party (UBP) leader, Dervis Eroglu, yesterday (January 14) handed over the duty of Prime Minister to Mehmet Ali Talat, who has replaced him in the new government that was formed on January 12 with coalition partner, Serdar Denktas, the leader of the Democrat (DP) Party.

Prime Minister Talat, speaking during the handing over ceremony said the handing over of duties was one of the principles of democracy and the new government would strive to be more successful and would do its best to fulfil its responsibilities.

Explaining that the new government is "a government for communal reconciliation and settlement", Prime Minister Talat said, communal reconciliation was necessary "especially during the process of a settlement". He added: "It seems that all the conditions are there for a settlement: The Turkish Government is determined to follow this path. While we are experiencing these, we have to act for a communal reconciliation".

For his part, the former Prime Minister and National Unity Party (UBP) leader, Dervis Eroglu, wished Talat success in his new duty and said Talat’s success was for the Turkish Cypriot people’s benefit. He added: "As the opposition we will try to fulfil our responsibilities".

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP, from Guzelyurt, Fatma Ekenoglu was appointed as the new Speaker of the TRNC Parliament.

In yesterday’s (January 14) meeting of the Parliament’s General Assembly, Ekenoglu, being the only candidate, was elected by simple majority. Ekenoglu received 32 "yes" votes from CTP-BG, DP and BDH deputies and 18 "no" votes from UBP deputies.

Meanwhile, elections for the Presidential Council were postponed.

In President Denktas’ absence Fatma Ekenoglu will be the Acting President.

In the Parliament’s General Assembly meeting, it was decided that the government’s program would be read out in the General Assembly on Monday, January 19. Following the reading of the government’s program, the CTP-BG-DP coalition government will be put to a vote of confidence. Negotiations on the government program will start two days after its reading and put to a vote of confidence one day after the negotiations end.

Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sent a message to Prime Minister, Mehmet Ali Talat, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Serdar Denktas, congratulating them on establishing the TRNC’s new government.

According to the statement issued by the Turkish Prime Ministry’s Press Office, Erdogan, in his message to Talat, said that in a period where the Cyprus issue is passing through an important phase, it should be appreciated that the newly formed government has displayed its determination in defending Turkish Cypriot rights and interests by acting in unity and cooperation. Erdogan also stressed that on the basis of the point reached in the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot people, up until today, lies the success of preserving this unity.

Pointing out that just as it was for the TRNC, reaching a permanent reconciliation in Cyprus was also Turkey’s primary aim Erdogan said: "However, the settlement to be reached should create an environment where the Turkish Cypriot people would be able to protect their rights and where they can live in peace and security with the Greek Cypriots. To achieve this, we need to further strengthen our common efforts that have been carried out up until today. In our common national cause, the Cyprus issue, we will act together with President Denktas and with your government".

Explaining that Turkey would continue to take all necessary measures for ensuring that the Turkish Cypriot people and the TRNC could live in peace and tranquillity and look towards the future with security, the Turkish Prime Minister said: "As a guarantor power, Turkey, is determined to protect her rights and interests in Cyprus stemming from international agreements and to support the Turkish Cypriot people".

Erdogan, in his message to Serdar Denktas, said, the settlement to be reached should not be made just for the sake of reaching a settlement. He said the recent TRNC election results have indicated that while on the one hand the Turkish Cypriot people desire a settlement and EU membership, on the other hand, they don’t want to give concessions over their rights. Erdogan added that a permanent settlement in Cyprus would depend on these two expectations being achieved.

January 15, which marks the 20^th Anniversary of Dr. Fazil Kucuk, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle for freedom will be commemorated today with various ceremonies and activities in the TRNC. The ceremony will take place at the Anittepe Cemetery.