ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul left for Crete island of Greece on Monday to participate in the foreign ministers meeting of European-Mediterranean process.
Speaking in a news conference at Esenboga Airport before his departure, Gul assessed the discussions started by the news story titled ''young officers are uneasy'' in Turkey.
Noting that these discussions were not suitable for Turkey, Gul said that he didn't approve such discussions in a period in which Turkey integrated with Europe, and it had such good relations with EU.
''I think it is very wrong for newspapers to deal with these issues for days and their reflecting the issue in a way as if they are pleased with such issues' being on the agenda. But in fact these issues are not real,'' Gul said.
Gul pointed out that the political and general image of Turkey was respected in Europe, adding that the success which Turkey reached was related to the image of Turkey in Europe.
Showing Turkey's winning the Eurovision song contest as an example, Gul said that the votes given by the Greek Cypriot side and other European countries to Turkish song was related to the political image of Turkey. Gul thanked Greek Cypriot and Greek spectators in this framework.
Reminding that Turkey also won success in Cannes Film Festival, Gul also showed the success of Turkish writers like Orhan Pamuk and Yasar Kemal.
''While all of these take place, it is wrong to be involved in meaningless discussions. While all of us have to contribute to this process, it is unlucky to assume an attitude to overshadow this process,'' Gul said.
(ÖS-AY) 26.05.2003