President Denktas, pointing out that the EU’s progress report for Turkey was positive, said although Turkey had been given the green light by the EU and Cyprus could be an obstacle in front of Turkey, this could mean the "red light" for Turkey.

President Denktas said although Turkey had been given the green light, obstacles could be put in front of her later and Turkey should act with the awareness of the dangers.

Explaining that Turkey had entered the EU path knowing it was a dangerous and long one, President Denktas said: "Turkey entered this path by saying we’ll overcome these dangers".

Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, speaking at a press conference yesterday (7 October), evaluated the EU’s progress report on Turkey and stated that Turkey had received the fruits of supporting a Cyprus settlement and the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ ‘yes’ vote in the 24 April 2004 referendum.

Prime Minister Talat said the EU progress report, which was announced on 6 October, was in effect praising Turkey for the steps it had taken towards democratisation and the reforms it had carried out.

Pointing out that the EU’s progress report, which had opened the EU’s door to Turkey and indexed the start of accession negotiations to the EU leaders summit meeting that will take place in December, the Prime Minister drawing attention to the fact that there were limited references to the Cyprus issue, said on the issue of Turkey getting a date, this process had lifted the Cyprus condition for Turkey.

The Prime Minister, stressing that Turkey’s EU process would have serious effects for the Cyprus issue and that with a new political vision it was inevitable not to have a serious opening on the Cyprus issue, said a study was being carried out to identify a joint strategy with Turkey. Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side should use this process to its advantage, the Prime Minister said in order to achieve this it was necessary to follow an active policy.