Erdogan holds talks with former northern Cypriot President

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met yesterday with former Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat, in his first meeting with a prominent TRNC figure since criticizing union protests there late last week. No statement was made following the closed-door, two-hour meeting at ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) headquarters in Ankara. Diplomatic sources said the meeting was arranged well before Erdogan's criticism of the protests against the government's austerity policy, including wage cuts, which came into effect after the signing of a protocol between Turkey and the TRNC government. TRNC President Dervis Eroglu, meanwhile, yesterday called Parliament in for an emergency session to brief deputies on the negotiations with Greek Cyprus, during which he also touched on the tension sparked by Erdogan's criticism. "It is time for social reconciliation," he said, warning against rhetoric that could damage relations with Turkey. Eroglu also said such tension could weaken the hand of the Turkish side on the Cyprus problem and cause social polarization. In a statement over the weekend, Eroglu called on protestors to act responsibly and called demonstrations against Turkey and Ankara unacceptable. "This sort of rhetoric is contrary to our struggle for existence and also damages our national values," he said. Though he acknowledged the right to protest, Eroglu echoed Erdogan, saying some protesters had gone too far.