PRIME MINISTER SOYER: "IT'LL ONLY BE
MEANINGFUL IF THE OPENING OF TURKISH PORTS TO GREEK CYPRIOTS IS CONSIDERED
TOGETHER WITH LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON TURKISH CYPRIOTS"
Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer stated that if South
Cyprus' request for Turkey to open its ports to South Cyprus was
considered together with lifting the restrictions imposed on the Turkish
Cypriot people this would be meaningful, fair, democratic and European. He
said the opposite of this would mean the support of the EU for a mentality
that occupied the 'Republic of Cyprus'.
Responding to a question asked about the COREPER
meeting and if the opening of Turkish ports to South Cyprus meant whether
or not Turkey recognized South Cyprus, Prime Minister Soyer said: "It's
evident that the opening of the ports or the issue of the ports will not
constitute recognition. These are two different dimensions".
The Prime Minister said that while restrictions
continue to be imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people, the Turkish Cypriot
side would continue to object to the rights which were usurped by the 'Republic
of Cyprus' from being turned into a grave injustice against the Turkish
Cypriot people.
Indicating that he didn't believe the world and
democratic conscious would lift this injustice, Prime Minister Soyer said
studies were continuing in this direction and Turkey's request to lift the
restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people was equivalent to
lifting the restrictions imposed on Greek Cypriot ports.
NATIONAL INCOME 8,095 US DOLLARS…GROWTH
RATE 15.4%
In 2004 the TRNC economy grew by 15.4% and the national
income per person increased by 36% from the previous year to 8,095 US
Dollars.
Following the foreign exchange and banking crisis of
2000-2001, in 2002 the TRNC economy started to recover and the Gross
National Product (GNP) grew by 6.9% in 2002, by 11.4% in 2003, and by 2004
it had grown by 15.4%.
In 2003 while GNP per person was 5,949 US Dollars, by
2004 this increased to 8,095 US Dollars.
The Undersecretary of the State Planning Department
Isilay Yilmaz said: "The GNP growth rate is much higher than estimated mid-year
expectations, and government practices to ensure price stability, relative
stability in the value of the Turkish Lira, slow increases and even a
regression in exchange rates, as well as the partial removal of
restrictions implemented in crossings to South Cyprus have reduced
unemployment figures and had a positive effect on hopes for a settlement".
She indicated that a significant increase in production,
consumption, investment, and the volume of foreign trade had all led to an
increase in the national income.
