Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý speaking during the second day of the 26th Turkish American Business Council - the American Turkish Council joint annual conference, stated that concrete steps to be taken by the United States towards establishing trade and cultural ties with North Cyprus would encourage other states to follow suit and would motivate the Greek Cypriot side towards a solution.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriots had voted in favour of the Annan plan in 2004, Avcý said since 1968 the Turkish Cypriots had supported all the settlement efforts under the UN supervision, but the Greek Cypriots had always adopted an intransigent stance.

Drawing attention to the fact that there wasn’t a joint administration, which represented the whole of Cyprus since 1963, and both sides in the island were self-governed, Avcý said however the Greek Cypriots were introducing themselves to the world as “the government of the whole of Cyprus” and “unfortunately” the world observed this passively and thus contributed to the Greek Cypriots’ negative attitude.

Listing the past-proposals submitted for a settlement in the island, Avcý pointed out that the Annan plan was the latest one emerged after the process of four and a half years with the support of the international community. Continuing, Avcý reminded that during the simultaneous referendums held on both sides of the island, 76% of the Greek Cypriots voted against the plan and 65% of Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of it, underlining that it was once more acknowledged that the Greek Cypriots wanted the continuation of the existing status quo in the island.

Referring to the expressions in the former UN Secretary-General’s report after the referendum to the effect that “the Turkish Cypriot side said ‘yes’ to the plan, which required great concessions... the Greek Cypriot side rejected the solution itself, not the plan”, Foreign Minister Avcý stressed that in the same report the Secretary General reiterated his call for ending the Turkish Cypriots’ isolation.

Also touching upon the European Council’s decision for the lifting of the isolation, Avcý said although 3 years passed the promises given to the Turkish Cypriots had not been kept because of the Greek Cypriot side’s pressures and negative stance. He added that Papadopoulos’ administration’s attitude towards a settlement was still the same today.

Foreign Minister Avcý referring to the 8^th July process, stated that the working groups and technical committees agreed between President Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Papadopoulos could not be materialized as a result of the Greek Cypriot administration’s stance.

Avcý pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side was working very hard for both ending the isolation and for economic growth in the TRNC. Explaining the economic system in the TRNC, Avcý said they placed high importance on and supported the investments and emphasized that their door was open to everyone who wanted to invest in the TRNC.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot people always felt the support of Turkey, Avcý said in 1963, 1968 and 1974, when the Greek Cypriots attacked the Turkish Cypriots, Turkey was by their side and continuously provided financial support to the Turkish Cypriots.

Within the framework of his contacts in the US, Foreign Minister Avcý also met with the Co-President of the US Congress’ Turkish Friendship Group Ed. Whitfield and the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Europe Robert Wexler. During the meetings, Avcý reminded the decisions of the UN and the EU for the ending of the Turkish Cypriots’ isolation and expressed hope to see more openings towards the Turkish Cypriots.

TRNC Presidency and Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce are going to organize the “North Cyprus Summit of the Turkish origin MPs in Europe” on the 31^st of March in Kyrenia.