Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

President Mehmet Ali Talat has stressed that the Turkish Cypriot Side was in support of the establishment of a federation in Cyprus.

The President’s words were in reaction to Greek Cypriot claims that the Turkish Cypriot Side actually wanted a confederation.

President Talat was responding to reporters’ questions about his contacts in Brussels where he met the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, the EU Commissioner in Charge of Enlargement Olli Rehn, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana as well as the Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

The President told reporters that he voiced the Turkish Cypriot Side’s readiness to fulfill its responsibilities to bring about a solution to the Cyprus problem during his meeting with Mr Miliband.

Explaining that the role to be played by the European Union in the solution of the problem was also discussed, President Talat said that the Union could not be unbiased on the Cyprus issue but added that it could provide technical support.

Calling his contacts in Brussels as very useful, he said “the visit was very useful in explaining our views and in correcting the wrong propaganda being made against us”.

Complaining that Greek Cypriot propagandas that the Turkish Cypriot Side did not want a federation have been brought to Brussels, he said “we explained that our objective is to solve the Cyprus problem by establishing a bi-zonal bicommunal federation based on the political equality of the two sides”.

Mr Talat also remind the EU officials of the 2004 referenda when the Turkish Cypriot people overwhelmingly approved the UN Peace Plan which was adamantly rejected by the Greek Cypriot people.

“Those, who cheated the world at the last minute, should now prove that they want a solution” the President noted.

[halil]

TALAT AND DOWNER ARE TO MEET AT DINNER

President Mehmet Ali Talat and the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer are meeting for discussions on the negotiations process continuing in Cyprus.

President Talat and the UN Envoy are to meet at a working dinner in Girne tonight.

President Talat’s Special Representative for talks with the UN and the EU Ozdil Nami will also present at the dinner, which will take place at the Balapais Gardens.

This morning, Mr Downer attended the meeting took place between senior aides of the two leaders.

Ozdil Nami and Yorgos Yakovu met ahead of next Tuesday’s talks between President Mehmet Ali Talat and the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Demetris Christofias.

[utu]

Considering the passing of Tassos Papadopoulos, I think that President Christofas may be a little distracted at the present time. Mr. Talat and Mr. Downer may have to wait until after the state funeral.