ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul left for Britain on Wednesday as the guest of British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Jack Straw.
Gul replied questions of reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure.
When asked whether Reassociation Law included only terrorist organizations PKK and KADEK, Gul said that the text of law was clear. He added, ''the aim with this law is to destroy terrorist organizations with a different way. Thus, it is for pulling away people from terrorist organizations who are involved in those organizations while not participating in terrorist activities, but became member of the organization.''
Noting that there was a broad consensus regarding the law, Gul said that this law was necessary and all concerned institutions and sections had been suggesting this from the beginning, adding that the issue was discussed in a detailed way in the last National Security Council.
Gul will meet with British Secretary Of State For International Development Baroness Amos and European Affairs Secretary Denis MacShane in Foreign Ministry in Britain.
Gul will meet with managers of some British investment firms and representatives of banks and then he will release a speech on ''Turkish view regarding the new milieu in European Union and Middle East'' in Royal Institute for International Studies in London on Thursday.
When asked whether the arrangement regarding the structure of National Security Council (NSC) was removed form the Seventh Adjustment Package, Gul said, ''what the Seventh Adjustment Package will include is not clear yet. I think, it will be certain within next week.''
Recalling that Turkey's Secretariat General for the European Union (EU) and Foreign Ministry were working in cooperation with Justice Ministry, Gul said, ''those activities are about to be completed. Many of our laws and regulations are being revised. We intent to make necessary arrangements to fulfill political criteria. I cannot tell one by one what the Seventh Package is including at the moment, but I think it will be certain within next week.''
Upon a question, Gul said that Iraq issue would be brought onto agenda during his contacts in London and added that they would exchange views regarding the future of Iraq.
Gul said that north of Iraq was a part of Iraq and added, ''our policy is for whole Iraq.''
Noting that Turkey had a consulate general in Mosul, but was not active, Gul said, ''it will be made active. Also, new representations will be opened in some places. Activities are continuing. There are some developments.''
Gul said, ''all countries of the EU have the same importance for us. The most important thing is fulfillment of EU criteria. Turkey is determined to fulfill these criteria. There have been very good relations between Turkey and Italy. Italy's EU term presidency will lead relations between Turkey and the EU to a new era.''
Upon a question about General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok's scheduled visit to the Middle East, Gul said, ''I believe that General Ozkok's visit will make an important contribution to efforts to settle peace in the region. The recent developments in the region are pleasing. We have been supporting such developments from the very beginning.''
Gul also gave information about his program in Britain.
''I will pay a visit to Britain as the guest of British Secretary of State Jack Straw for Foreign Affairs. Britain is a close ally of Turkey. There is not any problem between the two countries. We target to further improve friendly relations with Britain. Britain, one of locomotive countries of the EU, has been supporting Turkey's membership process sincerely. Our meetings in Britain will focus on Turkey's EU membership process,'' he added.
(UK-AÖ) 02.07.2003