PRESIDENT TALAT HOSTS GLAFKOS CLERIDIS

President Mehmet Ali Talat and his wife Oya Talat, last night (25 May) hosted the former Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Cleridis, his daughter Katherine Cleridis and a former minister Kostas Temistokleus at the TRNC Presidency’s residence.

Speaking after the dinner, President Talat stated that with the hope that this kind of events would help to improve the relations between the two sides, they would often come together, discuss the Cyprus issue and try to find a solution.

For his part, Cleridis pointing out that it was a good opportunity for a Turkish Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot to come together and discuss, said the common point between him and Talat was that they both loved Cyprus. Cleridis stated that Talat and himself wanted to see the Turkish and Greek Cypriots working together and living in peace and tranquility and added that this would be the best pleasure for him.

 

SERDAR DENKTAS RESPONDS TO ANNAN’S CALL: "WE ARE READY TO NEGOTIATE WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas, speaking during the introduction of the candidates for the forthcoming municipal elections in Girne on 24 May, responded to the UN Secretary-General’s call for the "two sides in Cyprus to come together for a settlement". Serdar Denktas stated that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to negotiate, but the UN Secretary-General should explain on what basis, for how long the negations would continue and what the position of the Turkish Cypriots would be if a settlement could not be achieved again, because of the Greek Cypriot side’s stance.

Serdar Denktas reminded that in 1968 the First President Rauf R. Denktas and Glafkos Cleridis began inter-communal talks, which continued for 40 years and no result could be reached.

Stressing that if the right conditions were set up, the world kept its promise and Turkey’s action plan was immediately implemented and the conditions between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots were equalized, solution would be possible on the island, Serdar Denktas said: "Otherwise, we might wait for another 40 years by extending our hand for peace whereas the Greek Cypriot side through Osmosis would implement its solution." He added: " By preserving our identity and equality we will defend our determination to integrate with the world."