NEW YORK - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in New York to participate in U.N. General Assembly meetings, met with representatives of associations that were members of the Federation of Turkish American Associations.
Gul said that Turkish associations in the United States contributed significantly to the interest of Turkey as voluntary lobbies.
Stating that Turkish society in the United States consisted of educated and skilled people, he said that it was an important opportunity for Turkey. He said, ''let's work together for Turkey.''
Gul said that economic figures were going well and there was increase in economic growth and stated that the government recorded important progresses in economic and political reforms.
Replying to questions of participants, Gul said that they wanted to start full membership negotiations with the EU at the end of 2004 and noted that reforms were fulfilled in political field for Turkish people.
Upon a question, he said that what was important was a powerful Turkey whose human rights were developed.
Upon another question, Gul said that it was impossible to accept the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan which was presented as a solution to the Cyprus issue with its current form and underlined that it should be turned into an acceptable plan.
Replying to questions on Iraq issue, Gul said that Turkey, which was the most powerful country of the region, attributed great importance to territorial integrity of Iraq and noted that a stable Iraq was to the interest of Turkey.
Stating that the last congress organized by Turkmens in north of Iraq was very successful, Gul said that it was very important to pave the way for Turkmens' being represented fairly.
(EÖ-AÖ) 23.09.2003