President Mehmet Ali Talat went to Ankara on 1 August as the official guest of the Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Upon his arrival in Ankara President Talat was welcomed by President Sezer at the Cankaya Palace with an official ceremony. Following the meeting between President Sezer and President Talat and the delegations, the two presidents gave a joint press conference.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer stated that Turkey would continue to engage in efforts for the TRNC’s economic and cultural development.

Pointing out that Cyprus was a national cause for Turkey and there were two separate peoples and states established by these people with different languages and religions, President Sezer said: "A new partnership in Cyprus should be established between two equal parties, it should be permanent as taking into consideration the realities in Cyprus, protect bizonality and the balances on the island".

Stressing that the ground for an environment where the two peoples in the island could live in peace, security and side by side depended on acknowledging the fact that the TRNC would be one of the equal partners in a possible settlement, President Sezer said the Turkish Cypriot side was in favour of a just and lasting settlement and had done its best to achieve this but it was understood that the Greek Cypriot side did not intend to accept a political reconciliation on the basis of equality and partnership.

Continuing, President Sezer indicated that with its democratic structure established on the principles of human rights and the rule of law the TRNC was a symbol of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

For his part, President Mehmet Ali Talat stating that Turkey had always and would continue to support the TRNC said:

"We stressed our determination on the continuation of our solidarity. We thank Turkey for her strong support. We believe that this support will increase not decrease."

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side was in favour of a lasting settlement in Cyprus and that their efforts in this direction were seen by the world, President Talat said unfortunately the Greek Cypriot side was not in favour of a settlement. He said: "Since the elections ended, we have constantly extended our hand for peace to the Greek Cypriot side. We want them to hold our hand. If they do, we are ready to establish a joint state based on our equality."

Explaining that current international law was based on old views and did not define the position of the Turkish Cypriots, President Talat said the international community should seriously re-assess their point of view on Cyprus. President Talat added that the first step of this re-evaluation should be directed at lifting the isolations.

President Talat later met with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Speaking before the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan stating that Turkey had always been and would continue to be beside the Turkish Cypriots in their democratic struggle, said:

"Just as we have been inseparable from our Turkish Cypriot brothers up until today, we will continue to walk on the same path with the same understanding and determination".

Reminding the results of the referendum on the Annan plan, Prime Minister Erdogan said although the Greek Cypriots voted "no" to the plan, they were still accepted into the EU, and it was obvious who had kept their promises and who hadn’t, therefore, Turkey would evaluate the next process within this framework. Continuing, he added that as a guarantor country Turkey would continue with the process of being besides the TRNC.

For his part, President Talat stated that Turkey’s support given to the Turkish Cypriots was much more meaningful than a promise.

Turkish Cypriot Sadik Bozkirli who works in South Cyprus was attacked by a group of fanatic Greek Cypriots last Friday (29 July). His attackers were from the nationalist and extreme right ‘Hrisi Avgi’ (Golden Dawn) organization and together with statements made by Greek Cypriot politicians the attack was also mentioned in the Greek Cypriot press.