Talat: Britain pledges help to end isolation

TURKISH Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Mehmet Ali Talat said on Thursday the British government had promised to take positive steps towards ending the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community in the north.

Talat’s comments came after meetings with British Foreign Secretary and Minister for Europe Dennis McShane during which they are believed to have discussed direct trade with the EU and the possibility of direct flights to the north.

At present, despite technically being part of the EU, the north is not covered by the acquis communautaire, meaning that goods sold to the EU are subject to customs duties.
Flights to the north have to touch down in Turkey, the only country to recognise the breakaway regime.

After the meeting at the House of Commons, Talat said he had been told measures for starting direct trade between the north and the EU were currently being prepared by the European Commission and that the British “would do what they could” to secure direct flights to the north.

Talat said Straw had made it “very clear” the British government was in favour of ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community.

“We requested the ending of isolation and received a positive response from the British,” Talat said, adding that the meetings had been “extremely productive and positive”.

“As a guarantor country, the British government is highly aware of the situation [in Cyprus] and of its responsibility. They have promised to help and to keep the lines of communication with us open.”

He added that McShane had told him discussions on direct trade with the north were still under way and that “concrete developments” would be unveiled on July 7.

Asked whether Straw had addressed him as “Prime Minister”, Talat said, “I don’t remember. I wasn’t paying attention at the time. Such things are not so important.”

Talat will be holding meetings with representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community in London before returning to Cyprus tomorrow.