ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that announcement of a good progress report by the European Union (EU) was their prior target.
Gul, who returned from New York, Brussels and Rome, told reporters that Turkey-EU relations had a positive course.
Giving information about his contacts, Gul said that increase of role of the United Nations (U.N.), Iraq, Middle East and EU process were main items of agenda of his contacts.
Gul drew attention to positive course of Turkey-EU relations and said that sides were aware of their responsibilities.
The government was determined to well-evaluate the process in front of Turkey, Gul stated.
Gul said, ''a positive progress report is our prior target.''
When he was recalled about news on Cyprus report issued in the meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in New York, Gul said that he was astonished to see how the issue was reflected to the press.
Gul said that theses of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) took place in the decision and they were supported.
''View supporting rightful case of Muslim Turkish Cypriot people was given place in the report. Measures of Turkish Cypriot side which create a positive atmosphere on the island was welcomed,'' Gul said.
Asked about postponement of Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey's visit to Turkey, Gul said that Turkey attached great importance to relations with Switzerland and Calmy-Rey's visit was also important.
Gul noted that they wanted the visit to be paid in a positive atmosphere and added, ''cancellation of visit is out of question.''
Recalling that genocide allegations were voiced in some European local administrations, Gul said that such incidents could occur although they were not based on any accurate information.
Gul stated that a date would be set for the visit in coming days, adding that he would speak to Calmy-Rey to determine a date.
(BRC) 02.10.2003