PRESIDENT TALAT VISITED FOREIGN MINISTRY
TALAT: “MOLLER SHOULD FOCUS ON THE SIDE WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF TIME”

President Mehmet Ali Talat stating that the UN Special Representative to Cyprus Michael Moller should focus on the side which causes loss of time in the solution of the Cyprus problem said, rather than Moller, the UN itself should take a more dynamic initiative following the elections in South Cyprus and expressed hope that there would not be further loss of time.

President Talat visited the Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (8 February). President Talat met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý and later briefed Ministry’s personnel on the Cyprus issue.

Speaking before his meeting with Foreign Minister Avcý, President Talat pointed out that the aim of his visit was to inform the Ministry about Presidency’s studies and exchange views on the Cyprus issue.

Talat said: “The Cyprus problem would come up. Turkish Cypriots should be ready and they are of course ready for this. It will be useful to make a re-evaluation and exchange views on the issue.”

Responding to a question with regard to Michael Moller’s recent warning to the two sides in Cyprus that the prolongation of the Cyprus problem would have severe effects, President Talat said as the Turkish Cypriot side they continuously stated that that losing time was not a good thing. Talat said the problem was that the Greek Cypriot side did not have the same understanding and Moller should focus on the side which causes loss of time.

For his part, Foreign Minister Avcý stated that the Foreign Ministry especially within the framework of the latest developments was ready to contribute to the intensive process which was expected following the presidential elections in South Cyprus. Pointing out that the Foreign Ministry was also ready to do what was necessary to support the Presidency’s studies, as well as to provide the necessary support for pursuing a joint foreign policy with the Presidency.