It has been announced that President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias will meet on the 23^rd of May to evaluate the work being carried out by working groups and technical committees within the framework of 21 March agreement.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer following the President’s speech in an extraordinary session of the Parliament yesterday (8 May) on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

Meanwhile President Mehmet Ali Talat who got together with the Greek Cypriot main opposition party DISI Leader Nikos Anastasiadis at a dinner at his residence in Limassol, South Cyprus, stated that their expectation was further increasing of relations between the two sides and the peoples and to reach a solution in Cyprus as soon as possible.

For his part, Anastasiadis expressed hope that the negotiations started between President Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Christofias would lead to a solution in Cyprus.

TRNC Parliament’s General Council convened yesterday in an extraordinary session with the participation of President Mehmet Ali Talat.

President Talat has briefed the Parliament on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

At the end of the session, President Talat stated that he had briefed the parliament on the latest developments with regard to the Cyprus issue and answered the questions of the ministers.

Talat announced that the Parliament will convene again on Thursday (15 May), when he will listen to the views of leaders and representatives of political parties on the Cyprus issue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý who went to Ankara to hold contacts with Turkish officials yesterday met with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs Cemil Cicek.

During the meeting which took place at central building of the Turkish Prime Ministry, the openings with regard to the economic situation and higher education in the TRNC and the projects between the two countries were discussed.

Speaking following the meeting Foreign Minister Avcý stated that they held a very fruitful meeting with Cicek.

Avcý explaining that they exchanged views on many issues including the economic and political issues said they once more confirmed Motherland Turkey’s sensibility towards Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots.

Today Foreign Minister Avcý and his accompanying delegation will visit Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Melih Gokcek and later will attend a working lunch to be given in his honor by his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan.

Following the lunch, Foreign Minister Avcý and Babacan will hold a joint press conference at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Avcý will later pay a visit to the Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay and is expected to return to the TRNC after this visit.