Turk Cypriot leader aims to solve Cyprus issue in 2008
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said their aim is to solve the Cyprus issue within 2008, adding the situation on South Ossetia would have an impact on the island but declined to elaborate. (UPDATED)
Talat met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in
"We aim to solve the Cyprus problem within 2008. We think that a solution is possible in this short time frame. We will be at the table with all our goodwill," Talat told at the joing news conference with Gul.
He asked the latest situation on South Ossetia would have an impact on the Turkish Cypriots but declined to elaborate what kind of impact it could have, saying it would be wrong to say this as the comprehensive talks to be launched.Gul reiterated
Talat arrived in Ankara on Thursday to hold a series of talks with Turkish officials ahead of the comprehensive talks to end the 44-year division of the island. Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias are scheduled to meet to start the comprehensive talks to reunify the island.
"We also think that it is right to continue guarantor status and we are insisted on it," Gul said. "Not only Turkey, but also Greece is the guarantor in the island. This is an international agreement."
Gul also called on involved parties in Cyprus question and the international community to exert efforts to help establish peace and stability in the island and in the whole region.
Pledging that Turkey would provide all kinds of support for upcoming peace talks, Gul said, "on the other hand, we will continue to fulfill our historical responsibility for progress of TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) and peace and prosperity of Turkish Cypriot people."
Reunification talks in the island have been deadlocked since 2004, when Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. reunification blueprint in a referendum, in which Turkish Cypriots approved the so-called Annan plan.
Talat will also meet Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and attend the handover ceremony for the army's top position.
The latest talks failed after the Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N.-sponsored peace plan in 2004.