Gul appeals to Islamic world to end Turkish Cypriot isolation

TURKISH Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday called on the international community end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul yesterday, Gul appealed to the international community to encourage direct economic, commercial, social and cultural relations with the Turkish Cypriots.

“Regarding Cyprus, the UN plan was overwhelmingly rejected by the Greek Cypriot community on the April 24 referenda, while the Turkish Cypriots approved it with a clear majority,” he said.

“The vote fundamentally changed the state of affairs on the island.”

Gul said international organisations and many countries had expressed regret over the Greek Cypriot attitude and all welcomed the determination of the Turkish Cypriots for a settlement.

“Our Secretary-general Dr Abdelouahed Belkeziz reported that the international community, and the Muslim countries in particular, should work together to address the plight of the Turkish Cypriots by supporting them materially and politically,” he said.

Gul said Annan’s report on Cyprus called on all states to co-operate both bilaterally and in international bodies to eliminate restrictions and barriers that have the effect of isolating the Turkish Cypriots and impeding their development.

“Now is the time for the international community to give full backing to the Turkish Cypriots by engaging in direct economic, commercial, social and cultural contacts with them,” he said.

“Our current meeting is an opportunity for this Organisation and the Islamic world to extend full support to Turkish Cypriot Muslim brothers, so as to put an end to their isolation,” he added.

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