Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, yesterday (5 August) visited Kantara Youth Camp. Speaking to BRT, Prime Minister Talat said the issue of opening Varosha was directly related to the Cyprus problem. Prime Minister Talat stated that the Greek Cypriot administration was intriguing for the continuation of the status quo by insisting on returning Varosha and joint use of Gazi Magusa port.

Evaluating the Greek Cypriot administration’s proposals regarding the opening of Varosha and the joint use of Gazi Magusa port, Prime Minister said these two issues should not be related to the EU.

Prime Minister Talat, stating that proposing the joint use of Gazi Magusa port in return to opening of Varosha was an unacceptable approach. Prime Minister added that Cyprus issue should be settled as a whole, not in installments.

Stressing the importance of improving the Turkish Cypriots’ economy and integrating them with the world, Prime Minister said, through this way the conditions of the Turkish Cypriots would be eased, they would be freed from the harsh situation caused by years long isolation and would be able to look towards the future more hopefully. He said this was very important and was what they were trying to achieve.

President Denktas received representatives of Yagmuralanlı village in Trodos area (South Cyprus) which was raised to the ground by the Greek Cypriots. Yagmuralanlı villagers who recently organised themselves in an association and started a law struggle against the Greek Cypriot administration, asked support both from the President and the Government.

Thanking the delegation for organising themselves in an association, President Denktas pointed out that during 1960s and after 1974, lots of Turkish Cypriot villages and mosques were raised to the ground by the Greek Cypriots.

However, because of the years long negotiations on the Cyprus issue and because of the fact that the "Cyprus Republic" was not recognised by the Turkish Cypriots, no initiative could be taken by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He explained that from now on it was possible to file cases against the Greek Cypriots through Turkey, and people in similar situations could apply to the Immovable Property Compensation Commission in the TRNC and that the government would help them in this regard.