ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that there would not be any problems in fulfilling adjustment packages that were adopted for the European Union (EU) process of Turkey, adding that they, as government, had this will.
Gul said that draft of EU Progress Report which would be announced in coming days had the quality to open Turkey's membership path to EU.
Gul replied to questions, views and criticisms of deputies during debates over 2004 budget of Foreign Ministry.
Touching on Turkey-EU relations, Gul said that they have reached a turning point, adding that Turkey made an important progress on the issue in last one year.
Gul said that they possessed adjustment packages which were adopted during EU membership process and added that they adopted the packages for Turkish people, not as EU wanted. Noting that the important thing was to fulfill those packages and adopting them was not enough, Gul said that the government was responsible from this. He added that it seemed that there were some difficulties in fulfilling them, but it was necessary not to see them as difficulties and changing habits was not easy.
Noting that draft of EU Progress Report was reflected to press, Gul said that they warned EU officials about some mistakes. He added that the report had the quality to open the path of membership to EU.
Gul said that Turkey knew its deficiencies regarding EU criteria more than everybody and added that other criteria for Turkey except the ones which were expected from other members was out of question. He said that they would not accept any other criteria except this.
Gul said that solution of Cyprus issue was not a condition for Turkey's EU full membership and noted that they were exerting efforts for solution of the issue.
Cyprus issue was not a new issue and it had become chronic, Gul stated.
Gul pointed out that they did not consider insolubility as a solution, but they did never adopt a policy like ''give and get rid of'' as a solution.
They were stressing on a compromise which would be accepted by everybody, Gul said.
Gul reiterated that they favored a bi-zonal solution in which realities on the island were taken into consideration.
''It should be an acceptable solution whatever its name is; be it Annan plan or any other name,'' Gul said.
Gul pointed out that everybody should be careful about Cyprus issue instead of resorting to heroism discourse.
Greek Cypriot side would become an EU member unless a solution was found to Cyprus issue till May 1, 2004, Gul recalled.
Gul said, ''we can't do anything about this and don't have any stance to prevent this. Greek Cypriot side is assuming a compromising attitude due to EU full membership.''
Pointing to elections in TRNC due in December, Gul said, ''what is important for us is to prevent elections from being overshadowed. December elections will not be overshadowed.''
Gul noted that they were following a realistic policy about Cyprus issue.
Stating that they were warning third sides who wanted to interfere with internal affairs of Cyprus, Gul said that those who wanted to back Cyprus case should be realistic.
(GC-BRC-AÖ) 03.11.2003