Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos', proposal that in exchange for opening the port of Magusa to international trade the Turkish Cypriot side should hand over Varosha to the Greek Cypriot side, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said this was out of the question and the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to jointly operate all of the ports in Cyprus.

Explaining that Papadopoulos' primary aim was to hinder the Turkish Cypriot side's economic development, Prime Minister Talat stressed that the Greek Cypriot Administration's authority could never be accepted in the North of Cyprus. He said the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to establish a united Cyprus Republic but wouldn't accept expanding the authority of the Greek Cypriot side to the North.

Asked a question about the recent visit made by EU Commission representatives to the TRNC, the Prime Minister, pointing out that the main aim of the visit was to discuss the Green Line Regulation, said the Turkish Cypriot side had already announced on previous occasions that it would take the same steps as the Greek Cypriot side regarding the value of goods individuals could bring with them when crossing the green line.