CANDIA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday, ''embargoes imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be lifted. After embargoes are lifted, Turkey will continue taking positive steps.''
Gul responded questions of journalists following his meeting with Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece during the European-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Crete Island of Greece.
Noting that recent developments in Cyprus were brought onto agenda of his meeting with Papandreou, Gul said, ''I told Mr. Papandreou that embargoes imposed on the TRNC should be lifted. Mutual steps and settlement of peace will be beneficial for our countries. Embargoes will be lifted. Then, Turkey will continue taking positive steps.''
When asked whether or not opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot-flagged vessels and some commercial facilities were included in these positive steps, Gul told reporters, ''these and others are included.''
''I got the impression that Greek side will also take positive steps. Both sides have the necessary political will,'' he said.
Noting that everyone congratulated him during his other contacts under the meeting for positive developments in Turkey, Gul said, ''during my speech, I said that some problems have still been continuing after the Barcelona decisions. I also stressed that we should be more careful in cooperation against terrorism. I said that Turkey has been supporting the road map about the Middle East dispute. We welcomed acceptance of this initiative by the sides.''
''We consider latest resolution of the United Nations Security Council lifting embargo on Iraq an important development. However, Iraq has many other problems. An active program should be carried out to prevent poverty and discrimination,'' he emphasized.
Gul gave information about three-article package of confidence-building measures with Greece.
He said that the document, which was signed today between Turkey and Greece, would be put into practice in the coming days.
Referring to Athens' claims about Turkish war planes' violations over the Aegean, Gul said that the issue was taken up during this morning's meeting of political directors.
Responding a question about press conference of General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok, Gul said that statements of General Ozkok revealed that recent news stories in the press were baseless.
Expressing his regret over efforts to create an unclear atmosphere in Turkey in a period in which a general debate was opened at the parliament on the EU membership, Gul said that Turkish people put forward clearly their will during the general elections of November 3, 2003.
''Everyone has the right to explain their views in a democratic atmosphere. Members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are Turkish citizens,'' he said.
Gul told reporters, ''the national will emerged during the general elections of November 3, 2002. Our people rely on the government. It is the duty of all citizens to protect the Republic of Turkey. A political power, which has been working to integrate Turkey with the EU, does not cause regression for Turkey. Our government aims at carrying Turkey to the level of modern countries.''
Noting that political developments had had a positive impact on Turkey's achievements in Eurovision Song Contest and Cannes Film Festival, Gul said, ''these criticisms against the government stem from efforts of circles, which failed in the general elections, to blacken our government.''
TURKEY AND GREECE SIGN AGREEMENT OF CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES
Turkey and Greece signed a three-article agreement of confidence-building measures on Monday.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in Crete Island of Greece to attend European-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece.
Gul and Papandreou announced that they had reached a compromise on a three-article package of confidence-building measures during the meeting.
The compromise envisages mutual and regular visits between high-level staff officers of Turkish and Greek land, air and naval forces, mutual and regular exchange of students between Turkish and Greek war academies and cooperation in medical treatment between Turkish and Greek military hospitals.
Following the meeting, Papandreou said that steps, which were taken today, would be maintained with new cooperation efforts.
He said that they would continue to take up the issues step by step.
Papandreou congratulated Turkey for its achievements in Eurovision Song Contest and Cannes Film Festival.
Gul reminded Papandreou that both Greece and the Greek Cypriot side voted in favor of Turkey during the Eurovision Song Contest.
Papandreou said that it was the sign of rightfulness of efforts of Turkey and Greece.
(UK) 26.05.2003