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04] Statements by Talat on his meeting with Erdogan
Istanbul NTV television (15.01.05) broadcast that the so-called Prime Minister of the illegal occupation regime, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, in a statement he made at the Ataturk Airport at the end of his talks in Turkey, said he did not think Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Davos.

Talat said: "It is not possible for Mr Annan and Mr Erdogan to put the Cyprus problem on the table. The reason is that Mr Erdogan and the Turkish Cypriot side want a solution and have proved their intention. The party that obstructs a solution is, regrettably, the Greek Cypriot side. Therefore, if the aim is to solve the Cyprus problem, it is the Greek Cypriot side that should act, since it is the one that has ideas about certain changes in the plan and the parameters of a solution."

Talat listed as follows the steps that would motivate the Greek Cypriot side: "The factors on which we should dwell are the ones that would motivate the Greek Cypriot side. The primary need is to remove the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. We should direct our efforts to this end. If we also take into regard the signals coming from Russia, the UN has to act to accomplish such a result. For this reason, the UN should adopt a stand aimed at encouraging, pressing, and directing the Greek Cypriot side to crystallize its views."

Mr Talat emphasized that any new initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem should also be based on the Annan Plan. He stressed, though, that the plan should be adjusted to the developing situation. Talat said "Russia's suggestion about the removal of the "embargoes" applied against the "TRNC" should reflect on the work of the Security Council. Stressing the need to turn into a Security Council decision the views that Annan submitted to the Council for the removal of the "embargoes" applied against the Turkish Cypriots, Talat said: "If this is achieved, the isolation will be removed to a major degree."

Later on Ankara Anatolia (15.01.05) reported from occupied Lefkosia that in a statement he made at the occupied by Turkish troops Tymbou Airport on his return from Istanbul, Talat said he had discussed with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the latest developments on Cyprus, adding that he would soon get involved in efforts in connection with the EU.

Recalling that Prime Minister Erdogan paid a visit to Russia a short time ago, and that the Russian Head of State Vladimir Putin made certain remarks on Cyprus, Talat said:

"This was an important development that could contribute to our efforts related particularly to the removal of our `isolation´. The support of Russia, a member of the Security Council with a veto right, to the Annan report, which recommends the removal of the `isolation´, and the adoption of a Security Council resolution based on this report, is of utmost importance. The stand that Russia assumes when the Security Council takes up the issue with a view to satisfying our justified demand will be rather important. Positive signals have been received in this regard."

Mr Talat further said a serious assessment was made and all aspects of the Cyprus problem were addressed during his meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan in Istanbul. He noted: "Turkey will commence accession talks with the EU on 3 October, and will sign by that date the supplementary protocol of the Ankara Agreement in a way that also includes Cyprus."

Pointing out that the new situation and conditions call for an assessment and the adoption of new policies, Talat said: "We have to assess the new conditions and coordinate our policies with Turkey. The purpose of my visit was to achieve this."

Talat said both the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey would engage in certain efforts in connection with the EU in the days ahead, and added:

"We have the Financial Support and Direct Trade regulations that are kept pending. Moreover, we have the amendments to the Green Line Regulation that the Greek Cypriot side blocks. We keep up our efforts on these issues and we have appealed to Mr Erdogan for Turkey's support in this regard. Turkey shares our view. We have to keep up our efforts."

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have proved on every occasion that they are ready for a solution, Talat said:

"What is important is to motivate the Greek Cypriot side as well. The most direct way to motivate them is to remove the `isolation´. We attribute particular importance to this aspect for this reason. Our ultimate objective, however, is the overall solution of the Cyprus problem."

Recalling that the so-called Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas too held contacts in Ankara, a journalist asked Talat why separate visits took place. Talat responded: "We have made contacts independently of each other. My talks were mainly in connection with the new development on the Cyprus issue that has come about after Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to Russia."

Talat explained that he went to Istanbul after an appointment at short notice, and that he met with Erdogan, who flew to Istanbul from Sinop. He noted that Serdar Denktas' visit might have been planned in advance, and that it seemed it was organized within the framework of paying visits to other political parties as well.

When he was reminded about the reports that Prime Minister Erdogan would meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Davos, Talat said: "Annan will be in Southeastern Asia during the period when the Davos summit will take place. He will not go to Davos. The information about an Annan-Erdogan meeting is wrong. I am not sure, though, whether he [Annan] will make a last-minute change and go to Davos."

Pointing out that Prime Minister Erdogan would have talks with many leaders in Davos and that the topic would be the Cyprus problem, Talat added: "The reason is that serious developments will take place on the Cyprus issue by 3 October, when Turkey will begin accession talks with the EU. Cyprus will, therefore, be the first item on the agenda."