BRUSSELS - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey would pursue ''a solution policy'' regarding Cyprus issue.
Erdogan, who is in Brussels for European Union (EU) Summit and Intergovernmental Conference, held a press conference in which he gave information about his meeting with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen.
Prime Minister Erdogan said that reforms made in Turkey were appreciated by the EU and they debated implementation of reforms.
Erdogan noted that more concrete steps would be taken in practice in 2004.
Turkey, a guarantor state in Cyprus issue, favored solution not insolubility, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that Turkey would pursue ''a solution policy'' regarding Cyprus issue and it would be wrong to show the possibility of success in searches for a solution as hundred percent.
Stressing that solution on Cyprus could not be reached by only one side, Erdogan said that a good evaluation should be made after elections in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Erdogan said, ''Cyprus can have a change with its new administration profile.''
Drawing attention to positive steps taken in TRNC since April 2, Erdogan said that Annan plan should be discussed and that solution could not be reached by another way.
Erdogan said, ''politics is the art of finding a solution to insolubility.''
Cyprus issue did not take part among Copenhagen political criteria, Erdogan pointed out.
Erdogan said that there was a de facto situation in Cyprus. Inclusion of Greek Cypriot side in EU in case of an insolubility would create a problematic situation, he noted.
Prime Minister Erdogan said that the parliament decided to grant authorization to government to send soldiers to Iraq and the General Staff and Foreign Ministry continued their efforts.
Talks with the United States also continued, Erdogan said. He noted, ''as Turkey, we are ready.''
Erdogan stated that in case compromise was reached, Turkey would contribute to stabilization force to overcome problems of Iraqi people.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said, ''people of other religions can perform requirements of their religions freely in Turkey.''
Erdogan will leave Brussels for Spain after attending a luncheon later in the day.
ERDOGAN: ''PRACTICES WILL CLEARLY BE SEEN IN 2004''
Erdogan said the reforms that were fulfilled revealed Turkey's will for good will, change and accession to the EU, noting that the reforms were fulfilled with cooperation of Turkish public and non-governmental organizations.
Erdogan said they were aware of the importance of implementation of those reforms.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said as a guarantor country, Turkey was willing to solve the question in Cyprus, not create insolubility. He said Annan plan could be negotiated reciprocally.
Verheugen in his part said they found studies of Turkey on reforms as successful, stressing that implementation of the reforms was important.
Verheugen said progress report on Turkey, which the EU Commission would announce at the beginning of November, would be very comprehensive, stating that view of the Commission would be reflected as to whether or not full membership negotiations would start.
(AY) 17.10.2003