Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (03.11.11) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat who has been invited by Turkish Associations operating in Australia to pay a visit to Australia, applied to the Australian Embassy for visa but, he was not granted visa because the expression “Former President of the TRNC” was written on his “diplomatic passport”.

According to the paper, after this incident, Talat’s trip to Australia was postponed.

In statements to Star Kibris newspaper from Istanbul, Talat stated that the incident was very disappointing. He argued that Australian Embassy did not give him visa as a result of lobbying by Greek Cypriots in order to prevent him from visiting Australia.