Ankara hails progress in Cyprus talks

Ankara welcomes progress made in Cyprus unification talks in the runup to this month's Turkish Cypriot presidential elections, said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday. "The Turkish side has always pursued a proactive policy. Negotiations should continue after the elections," he added, praising a statement made Tuesday by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias. The two Cypriot leaders held their last meeting this week before breaking for the TRNC's April 18 elections. Davutoglu also said he when spoke on the phone with his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country currently holds the European Union term presidency, he welcomed comments by Talat comments showing progress on the issues dividing the island. "To date the parties have had 71 talks at the leadership level and discussed all aspects of the Cyprus question," said Talat. "The Turkish Cypriot side has made progress in the talks on a basis laid out in joint statements on March 21, May 23, July 1 and July 25, 2008, as well as UN parameters."