Parliament speaker says Turkey and TRNC have fraternity relations

ANKARA (A.A) - August 2, 2011 - Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said on Tuesday that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had fraternity relations, not a relationship based on self-interest.
Cicek received TRNC Interior and Local Government Minister of Nazim Cavusoglu and an accompanying delegation in Turkish capital of Ankara.
"Cyprus issue is national cause of Turkey. Point of view of Turkey towards TRNC would not change although the governments change," Cicek said.
Cicek said Turkey focused on Cyprus issue in international meetings, underlining that, "we attach importance to the issue also for ourselves because Cyprus is our national cause. The public should know that Turkey and TRNC have fraternity relations, not a relationship based on self-interest."
Cicek said Cyprus question was one of the long lasting controversies in the world, and noted that maybe Cyprus was the oldest matter on the agenda of the UN, which could not be solved.
"Turkish party has always involved in efforts for a peaceful solution to the problem. It has always been the Greek Cypriot party which impeded the solution. Unfortunately, the international community has not put pressure on the Greek Cypriots against this unjust stance," Cicek said.
"However, I believe that it was understood necessarily in the world. This problem should end. Turkish Parliament will do its best to ensure a lasting peace. Expectations of Turkey and Turkish Cypriot party are clear," Cicek said.
Referring to Cyprus question, Cavusoglu said Turkey and TRNC had been exerting efforts for a long time for a sustainable, fair and a permanent solution. "We want those efforts to be successful," he said.