TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN: "A NEW PERIOD HAS STARTED IN CYPRUS, OUR COOPERATION WILL CONTINUE"

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a new period had started in Cyprus and cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC at the highest levels would continue.

Stressing that the TRNC was positively welcoming the expectations of the international community for a settlement within the framework of democracy and that the TRNC should be acknowledged by the world, Prime Minister Erdogan said the world's biggest contradiction was not lifting the unjust sanctions imposed upon the TRNC.

Referring to the presidential elections, he also said: "Of course, we will not forget President Denktas, whose services have been extremely valuable throughout the TRNC's history. He has become a symbol in North Cyprus. On behalf of my nation and myself it is my duty to express my gratitude to him. At the same time, I would also like to convey my congratulations to the TRNC's new President Mehmet Ali Talat and wish him luck in this important duty".

 

MEHMET ALI TALAT CONTINUES TO RECEIVE CONGRATULATION MESSAGES

Following the 17 April Presidential elections and the election of Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG) Leader and Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat as the new TRNC President, congratulation messages are continuing to arrive for Prime Minister Talat.

In his message the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Bulent Arinc congratulated Prime Minister Talat on winning the elections and said: "The Turkish Grand National Assembly as it has done in the past will continue to support the Turkish Cypriot people in their struggle for justice and equality which they have continued for all these years with belief and unity.  In order to protect the guarantor rights and interests vested to Turkey by international agreements Turkey will continue to fulfill her duties with determination."

In his message issued via his Spokesman Fred Eckhard, the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the election was further proof of the Turkish Cypriot people's commitment to settle the Cyprus issue through peaceful means. Congratulating Prime Minister Talat on his victory, the Secretary-General stressed that within the framework of the ongoing peace efforts on the island he was looking forward to carrying out a constructive study with Prime Minister Talat within the context of his good offices mission in Cyprus.

For his part, the Spokesman of the US State Department, Richard Boucher, pointing out that Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat's election as the new TRNC President was another indication that the Turkish Cypriot people had protected their constructive approach for a settlement, said the USA would continue to help the Turkish Cypriot people in their efforts to overcome certain difficulties. He said it was important that the Turkish Cypriots continued with their determined stance for the island's reunification.