They were unarmed. As is known, training flights are not covered by the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Athens in 1988. For this reason, non-compliance with the summer moratorium by Turkey is out of the question. Misorientation of the public opinion, unfortunately, does not correspond to the present friendly atmosphere between the two countries. All the countries can freely use the international airspace and since the Convention on International Civil Aviation is not applicable to state aircraft, they are not compelled to submit flight plans during such flights and exercises as they do not require any kind of air traffic service.
Turkey refrains from any provocative acts today as in the past.
Turkey fully respects the requirements for living in peace with the neighbouring countries and opts for displaying common sense and self-restraint against such reports which have also appeared in the press before. H.E. B lent Ecevit and will hold talks with the Deputy-Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador U ur Ziyal. 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.