SOYER: "WE EXPECT THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION AND THE EU TO DO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES"

TRNC Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, speaking yesterday before entering the Council of Ministers meeting, stated that the Turkish side has fulfilled its responsibilities regarding Bostancý Gate and even annaunced a tender. Soyer pointed out that he expected the Greek Cypriot administration and the EU to fulfill their responsibilities as well.

Soyer stating that following the opening of the Bostancý Gate he expected the Lokmacý Gate to come to the agenda said EU was supporting the opening of both gates and whether the Greek Cypriot sides fulfill its responsibilities or nor they would do theirs.

Prime Minister Soyer pointed out that the government in cooperation with the Presidency had almost agreed with the Greek Cypriots in the negotiations held through UN and did all their responsibilities including the building of the road and the opening of a tender for the reconstruction of the gates. Soyer added that the related company has started their works however there was no any preparation by the Greek Cypriot side or the EU which would organize the road at the buffer zone.

Stressing that the government was committed to their agreement said they were carrying out the necessary infrastructure for the opening of the gate speedily.

FOREIGN MINISTER DENKTAS "BEFORE SETTLEMENT TURKISH PORTS CANNOT BE OPENED TO GREEK CYPRIOTS"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas stressed that before progress being made towards the settlement of the Cyprus issue Turkey would not open its harbors and airports to Greek Cypriot administration.

Serdar Denktas speaking yesterday at BRT Television’s Akis Program stated that there was a real economic loss in the Greek Cypriot side due to the fact that the Turkish ports were not opened to them and that this created discomfort amongst the Greek Cypriot businessmen. Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas said: "if free trade regulation is implemented, this will have a 10 million dollars contribution to the Turkish Cypriot economy. Following the implementation of the Baku-Ceyhan pipe line project, there existed 4 billion dollars capacity in shipping from Turkey. The Greek Cypriot businessmen also wants to share this 4 billion dollars, therefore, they are exerting pressure on to the Tasos Papadopulous’ administration. The conditions for the opening of Turkish ports were declared. Any development on this issue can accelerate the Cyprus issue in the short run. Otherwise it is not realistic to expect any other development at this stage."

Serdar Denktas explaining that the Turkish side puts its good intentions put forth in the Annan Plan degraded to its maximum point said "no one should expect us to take a step backward. The Greek Cypriot side will either come to the point we reached or everyone will return to their starting positions."

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas requested the Secretary

General to write a second report to the UN Security Council and explain that in spite of the new state of affairs which existed as a result of the 24 April referendum the Turkish Cypriot side was still being punished.