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Statements by Turkish PM Erdogan on the Cyprus issue

ANKARA 22/12/2004 (ANA/A. Abatzis)
The new procedure for a solution to the Cyprus problem "will concern either two separate states, or as the Annan plan refers, the united Cyprus," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, while noting that the Annan plan was dropped from the agenda.

In statements broadcast on Monday night by the Turkish television network CNN Turk, the Turkish prime minister replied to the question "are you starting a new procedure for a solution?" Erdogan said:"It can start. This procedure will concern either two separate states, or as the Annan plan foresees, the United Republic of Cyprus."

In reply to a question if the plan by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a political solution of the Cyprus issue is still valid, the Turkish prime minister said: "At this moment it is not valid. Already, there is the opposite opinion of Southern Cyprus. But this is not due to the fact that we, Greece, Northern Cyprus or England say that the plan is finished. This is referred in the plan itself. In other words, it refers that if the plan is not voted in the two sides in the referendum of April 24, then it will be dropped from the agenda."