Gul: A Motion Cannot Overshadow Turkish - U.S. Relations

BRUSSELS - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that disapproval of the motion allowing deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey which the government had submitted to the parliament could not overshadow Turkish-U.S. relations.
Delivering a speech in a conference entitled, ''Turkey's EU membership path'' organized by Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Brussels, Gul replied to questions of participants.
Gul recalled that the motion had come onto the agenda of the parliament by demand of the government and the parliament did not approve the motion due to some disagreements, adding that ''a motion cannot overshadow Turkish-U.S. relations.''
Stressing that strategic relations between Turkey and the United States were very important, Gul said that relations would also continue from now on.
Gul said that there were many deliberations on Iraq issue not only in Turkey, but also in Europe and the world and noted that this issue caused some disagreements in countries.
Recalling that two ministers in Britain quit the government, Gul said that although many Mexican migrants lived in the United States, U.N. Security Council member Mexico opposed the draft which the United States tried to bring to the Security Council.
Upon a question regarding army's role on politics in Turkey, Gul said that the government was determined on democratization and would fulfil Copenhagen criteria. Gul added, ''the government has the political responsibility in Turkey.''
Gul said that Turkey would remove shortcomings in democracy as soon as possible and added that his country wanted to start full membership negotiations as of the end of 2003.
GUL: ''TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP WILL PROVIDE EU WITH VERY IMPORTANT STRATEGIC BENEFIT IN REGARD TO ECONOMY AND SECURITY''
Gul said that EU would be effective with regard to improvement of peace, security and stability in Central Asia, Caucasia, Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans with Turkey's full membership.
Stating that Turkey's multi-regional and multi-dimensional foreign and defense policy would also improve global role of EU, Gul said that this relation would also pave the way for improvement of transatlantic relations.
Gul said, ''Turkey's full membership will provide EU with very important strategic benefit in regard to economy and security.''
Stressing that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) which won the general elections had determination on Turkey's accession to EU, Gul said that Turkey would fulfil reforms rapidly and implement those reforms with this determination.
Stating that Turkish government was aware of its responsibilities and duties on accession to EU, Gul said, ''we are determined to fulfil Copenhagen criteria till the end of 2003.''
Gul said that they had a strong support in the parliament and noted that opposition parties also supported them during EU process.
Informing participants about reforms which the government made recently and reform package which the government would submit to the parliament in the coming days, Gul said that the government had determination to put into practice constructive reforms in economy and also reforms in democratization. Gul added that they started to see positive effects of measures which were taken in economy recently.
Touching on Turkish-Greek relations, Gul said, ''I want to underline that the government has the will to establish a relation which will be a model between Turkey and Greece. We have the impression that Greek government also wants to pursue similar policy toward Turkey.''
Gul said that Turkey and Greece should work together for their peoples and for a better future from now on.
Foreign Minister Gul stated that Turkish-Greek relations' being also affected by negative developments in Cyprus was natural, although Cyprus issue did not have a direct link with Turkish-Greek relations.
Stating that Turkey welcomed United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's efforts for lasting peace, Gul recalled that but, both sides did not accept the plan which U.N. presented to the two sides.
Gul said that both sides should increase necessary measures improving confidence in a positive atmosphere and launch negotiations again and noted that both sides should reach a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution in the island.
Drawing attention to the confidence building measures which TRNC started to implement recently, Gul said that positive reaction of international society and reactions of Turkish society and Greek Cypriot society showed that those were concrete steps which were taken properly.
Gul said that they expected Greek Cypriot side to exert efforts in return for those initiatives and added that Greece and Turkey, as two guarantor powers, could play a positive role by encouraging both societies in the island.
(EÖ-AÖ) 15.05.2003