Receiving Hayati Güven, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa, yesterday morning (29 January), Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said allegations that a settlement would separate the Turkish Cypriots from Turkey was not true and that relations with Turkey would continue forever.

Pointing out that they were in a very important period, Talat said now was the time for more cooperation between the TRNC and Turkey and that this period would determine the fate of Turkey and the TRNC. Stating that during this period they would work closely with the Turkish Embassy in Lefkosa, Prime Minister Talat said they wanted to cooperate more closely with the Embassy than the former governments did.

For his part, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa, Hayati Guven, stating that he visited Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat to congratulate him on forming the new government, said: "You have come to power at a period where efforts to settle the Cyprus issue have been intensified. I congratulate you and wish you success."

Expressing that the Embassy has always cooperated closely with the governments in the TRNC and that this cooperation would continue, Ambassador Guven said: "Our aim is to provide happiness, wealth and a more civilised standard of life for the Turkish Cypriot people and I know that you also share the same view. In this context, I assure that you will receive every kind of support and cooperation from our Embassy."

Evaluating the recent developments on the Cyprus issue during his meeting with the Turkish Ambassador, Prime Minister Talat, speaking to the press, said that Turkey and the TRNC was one step ahead of their Greek-Greek Cypriot counterparts and if this momentum continued it would be possible to restart the negotiations and reach a settlement that would protect Turkish Cypriot interests.

Expressing that they were closely watching Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s contacts in the USA, the Prime Minister said they were in contact with Erdogan. He added that initiatives for a settlement put forward by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side would be very influential in reaching a constructive conclusion. Prime Minister Talat also said Turkey’s and the Turkish Cypriot side’s positive pro-settlement image would leave a mark in the world.

The Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa, Hayati Guven, yesterday (29 January) visited Serdar Denktas, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the new government, which was formed after the December 14 general elections, and congratulated and wished him success in his new duty.

Pointing out that in order to achieve a settlement, Turkey and the TRNC were taking steps in good will and with a positive approach, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas said: "We expect to see a similar approach from the Greek Cypriot side. One-sided steps cannot solve the problem. Greece and the Greek Cypriot side should display a similar approach."

Explaining that the new government took over its duties during a period which is full of both domestic and external problems, Serdar Denktas said in full cooperation with Turkey and President Denktas these difficulties would be overcome.