KAYSERI - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that there was no definite date for dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq, stating that Council of Ministers would discuss the issue on Monday.
When asked, ''Is it right that the motion would not include in which region Turkish soldiers would be deployed,'' Gul said, ''let us discuss the issue in Council of Ministers on Monday. Officials of foreign ministry and military officials will discuss the issue in details according to the decision of Council of Ministers.''
Replying questions about relations with the European Union (EU), Gul said it was a great possibility for Turkey to start full membership negotiation with the EU at the end of 2004.
Stating that Turkey was taking important steps on the way to EU, Gul said Turkey for the first time held meetings with countries which are at the same time EU members.
However Gul noted that Turkey should implement the laws that were issued in the best way.
Pointing out that the Parliament and the government did their best in this respect, Gul said commissions were set up, stating that Interior and Justice ministries would intervene in case there are problems in implementation of laws.
Gul said he believed that a very big foreign capital would come to Turkey after starting of negotiations with the EU.
When asked about the dimension of relations with the United States, Gul said, ''our relations are well. We have taken important steps particularly in fight against terrorism. Every necessary ways would be tried for Anti-Terrorism Law.''
When Gul was reminded some news reports that Christianity would come to the forefront within the scope of EU adjustment laws, Gul said, ''this is regardless of question. There is freedom of religion for everybody. Everybody should have their own religion. There is tolerance in our past. There is respect to religion of others'. ''
(AY) 05.10.2003