01/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - The leader of the Turkish Cypriots, Mehmet Ali Talat, has expressed optimism that the German presidency will be able to find a solution to bring the commercial isolation of the northern part of the island to an end, and allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly with EU. “The Germans are taking the issue very seriously. Their statements show that they are trying to find a practical solution to this,” Mr Talat told Associated Press. (hb)