ISTANBUL - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that a critical period started in Turkish-European Union (EU) relations, stating that, ''this is the period of Turkey's starting negotiations on the way to EU.''
Gul left for Brussels to participate in EU Convention meetings.
Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Gul said he would hold a working lunch with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, and noted that Turkish-EU relations would be discussed.
Gul said he would represent the government in EU Convention meeting, noting that studies related to European Constitution would be reviewed, and that he would convey Turkey's views in this respect.
Pointing out that an important point was reached in Turkey-EU relations, Gul said, ''we are entering into a critical period. This is the period of Turkey's starting negotiations on the way to EU. This is a critical period in this respect. As our government is aware of this, it prepares a new action plan. We want to fulfill what is necessary in this framework. Steps taken reciprocally are appreciated. Preparations should be completed to start negotiations without losing time till the end of 2004 as it had been decided earlier. Our government continues to pass the democratization packages from the Parliament. We have passed two packages so far. We will send the third package to the Parliament soon.''
Pointing out that issues pertaining to the EU could not be discussed widely in the Parliament so far, Gul said they would ask for a general discussion in the Parliament about the EU on May 22.
Stating that the steps would be taken altogether, Gul said, ''our government is resolved in this respect. There is a great compromise in Turkey.''
Gul later responded to the questions of reporters.
Responding to a question, Gul said a delegation from Foreign Ministry left for northern Iraq on Tuesday, and that the delegation would hold talks with Kurdish leaders and Turkmens.
Gul said the delegation would later proceed to Baghdad and later convey their impressions about there.
Gul said, ''Iraq is Turkey's neighbor. Turkey forms the policies about Iraq very carefully. All those are based on information. They are based on observations that would take on place. It is Turkey which protected northern Iraq from the regime in Baghdad for ten years. Many friendships have been formed. In this period, leaders in northern Iraq visited the whole world with Turkish passport. We attribute great importance to our relations.''
Stating that Turkey was willing to set up friendly relations with the Iraq government that will be newly set up, Gul said, ''Iraq's territorial integrity has been preserved. We wish civilian administration to be set up in Iraq soon. We support Iraq's reaching a civilian administration. We support normalization of everything in the region. We carefully cover the steps taken regarded with peace talks, and we want to contribute to the talks.''
Gul said Turkey would do its best for the region to reach stability, peace and tranquility being the fundamental element and most important country of the region.
When Gul was reminded the news reports that talks were underway with the officials of the United States to disarm KADEK terrorist organization, he said, ''KADEK is a terrorist organization. It has nearly 4,000 armed forces in northern Iraq. KADEK is included in the list of terrorist organizations of the United States. Thus, it is not possible for a country, which fights against terrorism, to ignore such a terrorist organization.''
(AY) 14.05.2003