Cyprus Press and Information Office: Occupied Northern Cyprus
Jan 14 2005
Sources on what Erdogan asked from Putin on Cyprus and more on Cyprus
from Erdogan’s visit to Moscow
Ankara Anatolia (11/01/05) reported from Moscow that the Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his expectation during
his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia would
support the end of the so-called isolation of the occupied by Turkish
troops territory of Cyprus, sources said on Tuesday.
Noting that Erdogan asked Putin to contribute to the solution of the
Cyprus problem during their meeting, the same sources said that
Erdogan also asked Putin to be beside Turkey during talks regarding
Cyprus in the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
The same sources quoted Erdogan as saying in the meeting: ”We expect
Russia to support end of isolations of North Cyprus. The Cyprus
problem can be solved with the good offices of the UN. Guarantor
state Turkey supports this mission. And, the European Union (EU) will
naturally make a positive contribution to the solution of the Cyprus
problem.”
Ankara Anatolia (11/01/05) further reported from Moscow that the
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the
Cyprus issue should be resolved within the United Nations and not the
European Union. After a meeting with the Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Turkish businessmen, Erdogan replied to questions from
journalists. In reference to a question on solution of the Cyprus
issue and lifting the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots,
Erdogan remarked that there is no change in the Annan Plan. ”The
process related to Cyprus is going on. Turkey’s position is firm and
unchanged. Cyprus is an issue that should be resolved within the
framework of the United Nations and not the EU,” said Erdogan.
Furthermore, Istanbul NTV television (11/01/05) broadcast that
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he supports the efforts of
the UN Secretary-General and the Annan Plan in connection with the
solution of the Cyprus problem.
On the second day of his Moscow visit, together with Putin, Prime
Minister Erdogan called on businessmen. Pointing out that bilateral
relations have reached the level of multilateral partnership, Erdogan
expressed support for Russia’s membership in the World Trade
Organization. Putin, in turn, said that the volume of bilateral trade
can be increased to $15 billion, adding that political dialogue lies
at the bottom of commercial and economic partnership.
The Cyprus problem was also on Putin’s agenda. Noting that the
developments pertaining to Cyprus were discussed, Putin expressed
support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and the Annan
Plan. The isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots is not fair, the
Russian president stressed, adding that the matter is sensitive and
one must act delicately. Putin also remarked that Russia’s stand with
regard to the report to be submitted to the UN Security Council will
depend on the document to be submitted to the council.
In reply to a question, Putin also commented on the Armenian issue.
Pointing out that Russia could act as a mediator or a guarantor with
regard to Armenia’s problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey, Putin said:
“We are ready to do our utmost”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress