PRIME MINISTER TALAT MEETS HOLAND’S EU MINISTER,
ATZO NICOLAY
Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday
(1 September) met Holand’s EU Minister Atzo Nicolay. Speaking after the
meeting, Prime Minister Talat stated that Holand who currently holds the
EU’s term Presidency was engaging in intensive efforts to enforce the
regulations of free trade and aid package and he thanked Nicolay for their
support.
Prime Minister explained that during the
meeting, the issue of how Holand could contribute to improve the conditions
of the Turkish Cypriots, studies related to free trade and aid package
regulations and the responsibilities of the EU for ending the Turkish
Cypriots’ isolation were evaluated.
For his part, Atzo Nicolay stated that
after the referendum results, it was not possible to isolate Northern Cyprus
and during April 26 (2004) meeting, the EU had decided to take concrete
steps on this issue.
Pointing out that as the term President of
the EU, they felt responsible for the implementation of the regulation as
soon as possible and were doing their best to ensure this, Nicolay said:
"It will not be easy. However, from our
point of view, the regulations of free trade and financial assistance are
very important, because these steps which are directed towards improving the
status of the Northern part of the island are directly related with the
solution of the problem. By taking these constructive steps, we hope to ease
the conditions for Northern Cyprus."
