ANKARA - Czech Republic Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla said on Thursday that they were supporting Turkey's accession to the European Union (EU) and added that they were in favor of solving Cyprus issue in a way that would please both sides.
Holding a joint press conference with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Spidla said that his visit showed that there were no political problem between two countries and relations were going well.
Noting that Czech Republic was supporting Turkey's EU process, Spidla said that they would be pleased to convey their experiences to Turkey in this difficult process.
Upon a question regarding the statement of EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen who said that Turkish side would be an occupier if Cyprus issue was not solved, Spidla said that Czech Republic respected the suggestions of Annan and they were in favor of solving the issue within this scope. He added that they wanted Cyprus issue to be solved in a way that would please both sides.
Noting that commercial cooperation between two countries should be developed, Spidla said that energy policies were re-evaluated and due to richness of coal mines in both countries they would make cooperation on this issue.
Touching on the importance of two agreements signed before the conference, Spidla said that the agreements would ease relations between two countries.
Upon a question on visa problems between two countries, Spidla said that consulates were continuing working on the issue, adding, ''the status of Turkish citizens is same with the status of Canadian citizens for us.''
(GC-AÖ) 02.10.2003