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Speaking after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül in Ankara Thursday, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said that the quartet talks would start on March 24, two days after negotiations on the island concluded.
The TRNC wanted these talks to be at the highest level, with the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Greece in attendance, Talat said.
“A very serious and intense working period awaits us in regard to preparatory efforts for the meeting to be held with the participation of Turkey and Greece under the negotiation process aiming to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue,” Talat said.
Turning to his talks with Foreign Minister Gül, at which TRNC President Rauf Denkta? and Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Serdar Denkta? were also present, Talat said the meeting had been a part of the preparations for the latest negotiations.
“We came to Ankara as we needed to make assessments prior to beginning of this process,” he said. “Whenever it is necessary, we will meet with Turkish officials again.
Talat also said that he felt there would be much for United nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to do in the later rounds of the talks, when he is scheduled to bridge the gaps between the positions of the two sides. | |
