NEW YORK - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul received late on Tuesday the European Union (EU) Commissioner Chris Patten for foreign affairs.
Replying questions of reporters prior to his meeting with Gul, Patten said that Gul had always become an intelligent and positive interlocutor for them. Noting that he would talk with Gul on reforms developed in Turkey and the facilities to fulfill these reforms, he said that they would also take up Cyprus and Iraq issues. He noted that he hoped Turkey would follow the path it had drawn for itself.
Patten said after the meeting that he was very impressed with the things Gul had told him about the legal reforms fulfilled in Turkey. He added that he was also interested in these reforms to be put into practice in coming months.
Gul replied questions regarding the statement of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) that said ''do not send soldiers to Iraq'' and said that everybody was free and added that TUSIAD had views on every issue and it could have views on this issue as well. Gul reacted questions regarding the statement of senator Edward Kennedy who claimed that Bush administration bribed some countries to send soldiers to Iraq by showing Turkey as an example. Gul said that the U.S. loan was not related with sending soldiers to Iraq and added that furthermore Turkey did not ask for the loan.
Gul will attend the reception tonight that will be hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush in honor of leaders who attended U.N. meetings.
(GC-AÖ) 24.09.2003