Turkish PM: Turkish troops can quit Cyprus if peace deal

Turkey sent its troops to Cyprus in 1974 following a decade of attacks on Turkish Cypriots by Greek Cypriot groups favoring unification with Greece and eventually a Greek-inspired coup on the island.

In an interview with three Greek Cypriot newspapers published on Tuesday, Erdogan said: "Our goal is to achieve a lasting comprehensive settlement to the problem in Cyprus.

"EU member" Greek Cyprus threatens Turkey to veto openings of new chapters in EU talks.

"We are ready to do our share to achieve that goal, and no one should or can doubt Turkey's sincerity," he said.

Ankara would consider a troop withdrawal if there was a deal, but would not respond to calls for an immediate pullout, Erdogan said.

"Over a period of time, those troops can be withdrawn," Erdogan was quoted as saying.

The Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides started peace talks in September 2008, but still a clear progress has been not made.

Cyprus joined the EU as a divided island when Greek Cypriots in the south rejected the UN reunification plan in twin referendums in 2004 even though the Turkish Cypriots in the north overwhelmingly supported it.

The promise made by EU foreign ministers before the referendums to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and establish direct trade with north Cyprus remains unfulfilled.

Turkey now has more than 30,000 troops deployed on the Turkish part of the island.


/World Bulletin/