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Talat describes as "very important development" the statements allegedly made by President Putin regarding the lifting of the "isolation' of the Turkish Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (13.01.05) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called Prime Minister of the occupation regime, has described as "very important development" the statements allegedly made by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin regarding the need for lifting the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

In statements to illegal "Bayrak" television, Mr Talat reiterated that the international pressure for the solution of the Cyprus problem must be directed onto the Greek Cypriot side. He also argued that the lifting of the "isolations" of the Turkish Cypriots was a mean for achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Pointing out that Russia continues to support the Annan Plan, Mr Talat expressed the opinion that the statements made the day before by President Putin were indicators of a new Russian policy on Cyprus.

Mr Talat alleged that the fact that the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side has been proved firm, especially during the last period, would necessitate the change of the international law. Expressing the opinion that the international law was not absolute, Mr Talat argued:

"An expected development is the UN Security Council to evaluate this new political situation and the balances in the area and create a new international law. Perhaps not tomorrow but within the coming months the Security Council, with the support of Russia, will oppose the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. It will give duties to countries in this direction. Direct flights may begin to the northern part of Cyprus. These developments may take place in the future. This is our expectation".

Furthermore, Mr Talat described as "figment of the imagination" of the Greek Cypriots the information published in the Greek Cypriot press regarding the fact that the EU is preparing a solution plan for Cyprus, an alternative to the Annan Plan.

"If there is such a plan, this is a request by the Greek Cypriots. The European Union could not undertake a responsibility such as promoting the solution of the Cyprus problem", he argued.

Mr Talat said that the lifting of the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots was their strategic target and reiterated that this would force President Papadopoulos towards the direction of the solution. He also said that reaching a solution until 3 October 2005 would make the Turkish side feel very relieved and that a solution until the above-mentioned date would be in favour of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Talat alleged that "the legitimate ground of the isolations has been removed". "Now the legal ground must be changed. And the body that will do this is the UN Security Council. Therefore, Russia and the world are important for us", he added.

Referring to the issue of the occupied ports of Cyprus and the recent decision of the so-called council of ministers of the occupation regime regarding the opening of the occupied ports for the Greek Cypriot businessmen that would like to export goods to Turkey, Mr Talat said that whether or not the Greek Cypriot businessmen will use the occupied ports is not important and added: "We have put forward our readiness on this issue. According to the European Union our ports are not closed. Only, we are treated as a third country".