(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Turkish Cypriot President Dervis Eroglu urged members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to keep their promises on cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Eroglu sent a message to the opening ceremony of a four-day international conference on "Islamic civilization in the Mediterranean" organized jointly by OIC's Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture and Near East University in TRNC.
In his message, Eroglu said that Turkish Cypriot people had been trying to preserve Islamic culture in the island for centuries and thanked OIC for issuing resolutions on Cyprus issue.
However, Eroglu said, "we call on Islamic countries and organizations to keep their words by starting political, economic and cultural cooperation with Turkish Cypriots."
Also, Eroglu informed participants about the current situation in Cyprus reunification talks and said Turkish Cypriot side would go in good faith to Geneva for a tripartite meeting planned for January.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will bring together Eroglu and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias in Geneva in a move to find a solution to decades-long Cyprus problem.
Eroglu told Islamic countries that Turkish Cypriots need their support more than ever for a fair and long-lasting solution in this critical turning point.
"Our message is clear; it is peace. Your cooperation would be helpful for a compromise," Eroglu said. "Your cooperation would push Greek Cypriots to take a more reconciliatory stance at the negotiation table."
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