President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday (28 April) received the Peace and Security Forces and division commanders. Speaking during the meeting the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces, Lieutenant General Hasan Memisoglu, said the purpose of his visit was to congratulate President Talat on his election.

Explaining that there was still a long period in front of the Cyprus issue and that when compared to past periods this period would be more complicated, Lieutenant General Memisoglu said "now is not the time for words, it's time for action. Therefore, there will be more developments regarding the Cyprus issue" and wished President Talat luck in this difficult stage.

For his part, President Talat, pointing out that military offices had greatly facilitated overcoming the most difficult days peacefully and without any difficulties said the biggest role had been played by the security forces and he thanked them for their stance and democratic understanding.

Indicating that the Turkish Cypriot people had successfully overcome important dangers for internal peace, President Talat stating that "The Turkish Cypriots exist and will continue to exist. They administer themselves and establish all their institutions through democratic means", highlighted the importance of internal security for the continuation of democracy and added; "As the President I thank you".

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas yesterday (28 April) received the Association for Kemalist Life from Nevsehir in Turkey and pointing out that it was wrong to put the Cyprus issue as an obstacle in front of Turkey's EU membership stressed that both Turkey, the TRNC, NGO's and the media should be in dialogue and be very careful on this issue.

Briefing the delegation on the developments of the Cyprus issue from the 1960 Partnership Republic up until the present day and the Greek and Turkish Cypriot side's thesis, Serdar Denktas said although the two peoples on the island had lived together side by side since 1974 without killing each other they had still not settled the political problem.

Indicating that from an economic point of view the TRNC's position was very good, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs said the only problem was the uncertainty about the future and the fact that no plans could be made for the future and that from time to time the Turkish Cypriots experienced social depression. Continuing he said although one year had elapsed since the 24 April 2004 referendum, promises made to end the isolation and embargoes had still not been kept.