The secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has welcomed the recent positive atmosphere on the island following the elections in the Greek Cypriot administration

- 12 / 05 / 2008 08:38

The secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has welcomed the recent positive atmosphere on the island following the elections in the Greek Cypriot administration.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu came to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday to receive the title of honorary doctorate from the Near East University and to hold a series of talks.

It is his second visit to the TRNC following his election as the secretary-general of the leading Islamic organization.

He said that the organization appreciated the United Nations' efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus issue.

Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Turgay Avci of the TRNC said, "Turkish Cypriots' expectation from the process is to reach a fair and comprehensive solution in a short period of time."

Avci also expressed their satisfaction with TRNC's relations with the OIC and OIC-member countries.

Ihsanoglu will be awarded with the title of honorary doctorate by the Near East University on Monday.

Later, he will hold talks with TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Avci.

Ihsanoglu is later expected to depart from the island.