Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday (12 April) came to the TRNC, for a two-day visit.

Within the framework of his contacts, Foreign Minister Gul met with President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Hayri Kivrikoglu. Gul also attended the opening ceremony of Mercure Hotel in Girne and the launching cocktail of a new newspaper “Star Kýbrýs”.

President Mehmet Ali Talat speaking following his meeting with Gul stated that they discussed various issues including the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue. Talat pointed out that the TRNC and Turkey had always acted in cooperation and shared the same view on the Cyprus issue and said this was reconfirmed during the meeting.

Explaining that they had evaluated the developments regarding the Cyprus problem both within the EU and the UN, President Talat said they once more observed that just like Turkey and the TRNC evaluated the 8 July process together, they also shared the same view regarding the steps to be taken in the EU for the lifting of the isolation.

Drawing attention to the Greek Cypriots’ efforts to prevent the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation, Talat said the Turkish Cypriot side expected the EU to keep its promises on this issue. Pointing out that the implementation of a “functional and effective” Direct Trade Regulation would contribute to a comprehensive solution in Cyprus, Talat said that the main aim of the Turkish Cypriot side was to find a lasting solution to the problem under the UN auspices.

For his part, Foreign Minister Gul stated that they would continue with their constructive approach with regard to the Cyprus issue, where the Turkish Cypriots’ rights would not be renounced and they would do their utmost to ensure that serious and solution oriented studies would be carried in the UN process, rather than delaying tactics.

Pointing out that the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation was the responsibility of the EU, not of the TRNC, Gul said whether it is approved or not, the TRNC would not lose anything.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul reiterated Turkey’s full support to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus would continue.

Gul stated that if a comprehensive and lasting solution was desired, any proposal which disregards the fact that there existed “two separate nationalities, languages, religions and democracies” in the island, should not come to the negotiation table. Gul said: “Within this framework, we believe that two peoples in Cyprus can live together and cooperate and reach a comprehensive solution based on the Annan plan.”