[01] UK High Commission official meets so-called foreign minister.

[02] Turkey and "TRNC" sign maritime agreement.

No.159/96 4.9.96

[01] UK High Commission official meets so-called foreign minister

According to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hours, 3.9.96) Taner Etkin, "Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense", met with John Bach, British High Commission under secretary. The Cyprus question was discussed and views exchanged during the 70-minute meeting.

The meeting was also attended by Aytug Pulumer, so-called under secretary at the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense", and Resat Saglar, the "Ministry Director General".

In a statement after the meeting Bach said that Britain is continuing to make efforts to help reach a comprehensive solution in Cyprus. He said that the efforts for a solution are being made under the umbrella of the UN Secretary General's goodwill mission. He added that his country will continue to make efforts to contribute to the solution process. He described the meeting as interesting and beneficial and added that it was held within the framework of the contacts his country is holding with the political leadership in both communities.

[02] Turkey and "TRNC" sign maritime agreement

KIBRIS (4.9.96) reports that a so-called agreement between the ocucpied area and Turkey was signed yesterday regarding cooperation on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR).

The so-called agreement was signed for the occupied area by Taner Etkin, the pseudostate's "Foreign and Defence Minister", and for Turkey by its envoy to the occupied area Ayhan Karahan.

After the signing ceremony, Etkin claimed that the so-called agreement was signed in accordance with the Hamburg Convention of 1979 - the International Convention on Maritime Search And Rescue (SAR). He added: "This agreement, being the newest and warmest example of the existing strong cooperation and solidarity between the Republic of Turkey and the TRNC, will pave the way for other agreements that will be signed between the two countries." (MY)