FM babacan holds talks in TRNC

Turkey supports the positive stance of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and its President Mehmet Ali Talat, said Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday. Babacan made the remarks on a one-day visit to Turkish Cyprus, during a meeting with TRNC Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and his counterpart Turgay Avci. Calling the TRNC's economic isolation unacceptable, he added, "2009 will be an important year for the TRNC." Reiterating that Turkey will always support the TRNC during its negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration, Babacan pointed to how the Turkish Cypriot side accepted a 2004 UN reunification plan while the Greek Cypriots rejected it. "Improving the situation as soon as possible is essential for the TRNC's economic developments," he added.