Cyprus-Forum.com

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The Leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Dervis Eroglu has welcomed President Mehmet Ali Talat’s forthcoming visit to the United States as a positive development.

In a statement issued today, UBP Leader also reiterated his party’s support to the President in his efforts to achieve a just and realistic political settlement in Cyprus which will guarantee the protection of legitimate rights of Turkish Cypriots.

Claiming that the Cyprus negotiations process has been experiencing a deadlock as a result of the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent attitude, Eroglu said the President’s US visit carries great importance in terms making a change on this situation.

He said President Talat should clearly explain the US officials that, unlike the Greek Cypriot side, the Turkish Cypriot side does not demand the establishment of a hegemony on the island and won’t give any compromise over its sovereignty, political equality and Turkey’s effective guarantee.

`We will appreicate the US support to the negotiations process and its just treatment of both sides in Cyprus` Eroglu stated.

TURKISH PM ERDOĞAN SAYS THE CYPRUS ISSUE WILL BE INCLUDED IN TALKS ON TURKISH-US RELATIONS

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Cyprus Issue will be included in talks on Turkish-US relations.

Speaking on a TV program ahead of the visit to Turkey by US President Barack Obama, the Turkish Premier said the Cyprus Problem was an important issue for Turkey which had interests in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

\"In return Turkey is a country that the US cannot give up in the region,\" Erdogan said.

“We will discuss our multi-dimensional relations with the US, including those on Cyprus and the EU, when President Obama comes to Turkey”, Erdogan added.

Pointing out that the US had strong ties with some EU member states, the Turkish Prime Minister said that this was something which could not be ignored.

On the other hand, another statement on the Cyprus issue came from Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan.

Babacan called on all sides involved in the Cyprus issue to use the window of opportunity that exists on the island.

Babacan was speaking at Turkey’s state run TRT channel.

Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said that the United States did not make a tangible request from Turkey about withdrawal of US soldiers from Iraq.

He noted that Washington did not ask Ankara to send more troops to Afghanistan, while responding to another question.