TURKISH CYPRIOT CONCERNS AND STANCE WERE EXPLAINED IN SWEDEN AND FRANCE
President Mehmet Ali Talat has returned to the TRNC upon the completion of his contacts with some leading international figures in Sweden and France.
Mr Talat held meetings with the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in Stockholm and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in Paris to discuss the current situation in Cyprus.
Evaluating his contacts on his return at the Ercan Airport, the President said his contacts had been important in terms of directly presenting the Turkish Cypriot views over the negotiations process.
Reminding that Sweden prepares to take over the next EU term-presidency in June, Talat said he met with the Swedish Foreign Minister upon Bildt’s invitation.
`I explained the Swedish Foreign Minister the disappointment we have been feeling because of the ongoing international isolation- which the EU earlier promised to lift` Talat said.
President Talat underlined the need for motivating the Greek Cypriot side for a solution as a unilateral member of the EU.
He told the Minister that the removal of international isolation and inspiring the Greek Cypriot side for a solution within the EU institutions are necessary for the Greek Cypriot motivation.
Reminding the Minister of the fact that the EU has earlier promised to adapt the solution of the Cyprus problem as to be agreed by the two sides, Talat said this promise carries great importance in terms of maintaining the legal envisagement and safety of the political agreement.
Then touching upon his meeting with Ban in Paris, Talat stated that he repeated the Turkish Cypriot demand for a more active role of the UN at negotiations.
He said he had a very fruitful meeting with Mr Ban.
Later the President was asked to respond to a question on trusting the EU over its promise to adapt the solution to be reached in Cyprus.
`In order to make the solution last, adaptation is essential. The EU has promised on this. If it fails to keep this promise, then the EU will be preventing the solution of the Cyprus problem with its own hands` Talat responded.