In order to have contacts with the Turkish officials and deliver a speech at a conference on the Cyprus issues, TRNC President Rauf Denktas went Ankara yesterday (March 4). In Ankara, President Denktash met with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdoðan and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Gül.

Speaking at a conference organized by Ankara Chamber of Commerce entitled "Turkish- EU Relations and Cyprus", President Denktash pointed out that, as in the past, he was continuing to defend his views that the Annan Plan means the annihilation of the Turkish Cypriots. Pointing out that during the negotiations the Greek Cypriot side was behaving with the ease of becoming an EU member, President said no opening has been achieved until yet. Stating that even if the Cyprus would become an EU member this would be with the consent of both sides, President said "no one can pressure us to enter into the EU trough force of arms".

President Denktash stressed that if the Turkish side cannot maintain its demands from the negotiation process, they will withdraw and struggle against the Annan Plan. President pointed out that displaying Cyprus as an obstacle in front of Turkeys EU membership was an outrageous injustice, and said the Turkish nation should not bow to this trick.

Stressing that the important thing was to reach a solid agreement protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and not achieving a solution before May 1, President reminded that the EU had given Turkey time until the end of the year and more time should also be given to the sides in Cyprus to discuss the issues thoroughly, and not to make any mistake.

Presidet Denktash also pointed out that in the event of uniting Cyprus with Greece as its 13. island, Turkey’s sea roads would be closed. Stating that displaying Cyprus as an obstacle in front of Turkey’s EU bid was injustice, President reiterated that accession of Cyprus into the European Union was contrary to international law without Turkey’s EU membership. President stressed that these parties who have closed their eyes to illegal practices for 40 years, accepted the Greek Cypriot administration as the legal Cyprus government, closed the doors for conciliation.

Pointing out that envisaged preparations cannot be achieved until May 1, President said if an agreement was to be reached more time should be given to the parties.

Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, speaking yesterday at his weekly press conference, pointed out that it would not be possible to finalize everything by the proposed date of 22 March, however added that progress could be made on many issues because the they have rightful requests.

Referring to his visit to Ankara with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktash, Prime Minister Talat said their contacts held in Ankara had positive contributions at the negotiating table. Prime Minister Talat said, at yesterday’s meeting they put forward the Turkish side’s reasons for objecting to the proposal made by the Greek Cypriots envisaging the transfer of the control of the territories to be left to the Greek Cypriots to United Nations. Prime Minister Talat pointing out that the Turkish side presented its proposal on Presidential Council on writing and on the functions of the central government orally, said when the Secretary General would use his discretionary power, documents presented during this process would help him.

On the possibility of a fourth Annan Plan, Mehmet Ali Talat said there was no such thing on the agenda and that the fourth Annan Plan would be the one that would be submitted to referendum.

Referring to the UK State Secretary Jack Straw’s words to the effect that "if the Greek Cypriots says no at the referendum, whole Cyprus would not enter into the EU" Talat said this statement will have a positive contribution at the negotiating table.

Referring to yesterday’s discussions with the Greek Cypriot delegation, Prime Minister Talat said, the Turkish side put forward its reasons for objecting to the proposal which envisages United Nations control of territories to be left to the Greek Cypriots and explained that when its social dimension was taken into consideration this was not possible. Prime Minister added that that the UN had also voiced that it was not in favour of such a move. Talat said it was not possible for sides who behave with a vision of solution and sign an agreement to refrain from implementing the agreement.

Pointing to on European Union relations, especially on joint agreements which member states approve and on international agreements which European Council was addressed, Talat said, the Turkish side’s proposal on the procedure to be followed regarding the Cyprus was approved by the Greek Cypriots.