ANKARA
Turkey's Parliament Speaker, Cemil Cicek said that a resolution that ignores Turkey's presence in North Cyprus, or considers it a minority community, could never be right or possible.
Prime Minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu met with Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in Ankara on Thursday, to discuss latest developments in the Cyprus issuse.
Cicek said that although the Turkish Cypriot government is new, he hopes that the Cyprus issue can be resolved during Yorgancioglu's term."
Cicek added that Turkey and the TRNC have been working hard to resolve this conflict but a settlement has not been possible due to the "negative attitude" of the Greek side and its supporters.
"There is a 30-year old state called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and everybody must recognize it. Any resolution reached must be fair, permanent, and based on equality," Cicek said.
Agreeing that a resolution must be reached, Yorgancioglu said that they are working towards a resolution based on equality, but one that also protects the interests of the Turkish Cypriots.
"It is not easy. That's why it has been going on for over 50 years," he said.
Yorgancioglu said that Turkey's help cannot be underestimated. "As a reform government, we will continue our efforts towards increasing the quality of living for our people. 2014 will be a better year for all of us," he concluded.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
