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ANKARA - "Unless isolations on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are lifted, we will maintain our determination that we have assumed so far in regard to opening of ports and airports," Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.
Replying to questions on the Progress Report that was released by the European Commission today, Erdogan stated, "it has positive as well as negative aspects."
Erdogan noted that the progress report had an expectation that Turkish authorities could assess the Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) in a meeting with representatives of non-governmental organizations within next three or four weeks.
"They (European Commission authorities) will make a recommendatory decision on Cyprus issue before the EU Summit of Heads of State and Government (in December). The report also has eulogies regarding Turkish economy. We are studying the report carefully," he stressed.
Asked whether there can be a development on Cyprus issue till the summit to be held in December, he noted, "unless isolations on TRNC are lifted, we will maintain our determination that we have assumed so far in regard to ports and airports."
"If isolations are lifted, we will take a step on opening of our ports and airports (to Greek Cypriots ships and planes)," Erdogan indicated.
Stating that TRNC took the most important step on April 24th, 2004, Erdogan said that Greek Cypriot administration acted against demands of the EU.
"Promises made to TRNC have not been fulfilled yet. After these promises are fulfilled, we will do what is necessary," he added.
