WELCOME BY MR LLUĺS MARIA DE PUIG,

PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

TO MR MEHMET ALI TALAT,

LEADER OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY

(Strasbourg, Wednesday 1^st October 2008, 10 a.m., Chamber)

I now have the pleasure of welcoming Mehmet Ali TALAT, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Mr Talat, since your appointment as the chief negotiator for the Turkish Cypriot community in 2004, despite all setbacks and disappointments, you have been firmly committed to, and tirelessly worked for, the settlement of the ‘Cyprus problem’. Today, thanks to your and President Christofias’ efforts, there is a new hope of a re-united Cyprus.

Ever since the outbreak of the conflict in Cyprus, the Assembly has sought to contribute to dialogue and reconciliation between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Following the referendum on the Annan Plan in 2004, when Turkish Cypriots clearly expressed their European choice, the Assembly was the first major European body to associate elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community to its activities.

We wish you success, and we are ready to support the process by all the means. We look forward to welcoming our Turkish Cypriot colleagues as fully-fledged members of the parliamentary delegation of a re-united Cyprus.

Mr Talat, you have the floor.