It has been observed that, in the Joint Statement on regional issues released at the G-8 Summit meeting held in Okinawa on 21-23 July, the Cyprus issue is included as was the case last year.

In this context, the G-8, after referring to the Cyprus paragraph of the Joint Statement made at the G-8 Summit held in Cologne last year, declares support to the process of proximity talks initiated for preparing the ground for meaningful negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement and states the underlying principles and feature of the settlement to be found.

Turkey, within the context of its support to the UN Secretary General's efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the Cyprus issue, assumes a constructive attitude towards the process of proximity talks on Cyprus.

Turkey will continue to support and encourage the Turkish Cypriot party for the negotiating process with an aim to reaching a comprehensive settlement in this conflict pending for 37 years.

There exist two equal parties in Cyprus. These are two equal, sovereign states. A settlement to the Cyprus issue will be found, not by the third parties but by these two states. The views stated in the G-8 statement has no chance to be accepted as they are not based on the consent of the parties in Cyprus.

It is incumbent upon the third parties who are sincere in their desire to make a contribution to the Cyprus issue, not to lose sight of the realities on the Island and always to remember that the lasting settlement in the Island can only be reached through an agreement between the two equal, sovereign states in the Island.