Gul: It Will Not Be Right To Expect Self-sacrifice Only From Turkish Cypriot Side

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday that if a solution was expected to be found to Cyprus issue, same calls should be made to not only Turkish Cypriot, but also Greek Cypriot side.
Gul and Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja held a press conference following their meeting.
Foreign Minister Gul said that Turkey also wanted a solution to be found to Cyprus issue.
''But, if a solution is expected to be found to Cyprus issue, both sides should take action. It won't be right to expect self-sacrifice only from Turkish Cypriot side. Therefore, same calls should also be made to the Greek Cypriot side,'' Gul noted.
When he was recalled that the United States did not give any place to Turkish soldiers in its Iraq plans for following six months and asked if the issue was closed, Gul said that necessary studies were being made on the issue and added, ''we will make necessary statements when the time comes.''
GUL: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE REGARDING CYPRUS ISSUE IS TO MAKE AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT

Gul said, ''I am sure that both sides on Cyprus will meet for an acceptable agreement after elections in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).''
Gul noted that he and Tuomioja took up European Union (EU) Commission's Regular Report on the progress towards accession of Turkey for 2003.
Foreign Minister Gul quoted Tuomioja as saying that expressions regarding Cyprus in the Strategy Plan for 2003 were ''not an obligation, but there was such a general understanding in Europe.''
''Our view about this issue is obvious. Cyprus is not a part of political criteria. Of course, Turkey wishes solution of this issue and significant steps are being taken for it. Borders have been opened for the first time for the last 25 years and these are all confidence-building steps,'' Gul said.
Gul stated that both sides should take action ''if the issue was expected to be solved.''
''Compromise is a part of Europe. If a compromise is expected, two sides should meet and reach this compromise. It won't be right to expect self-sacrifice only from Turkish Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot side should not behave in a relaxed way saying 'it will join EU in any case.' Therefore, same calls should be made to not only Turkish Cypriot, but also Greek Cypriot side. We hope that sides will sit at a table, negotiate and reach a satisfactory result before May 2004. Turkey always wishes this,'' Gul said.
When reminded that when a decision on Turkey would be taken in the EU summit in December 2004, the Greek Cypriot administration would be a member of the Union, Gul noted that they said continuously that international agreements were valid on the issue and they placed those things on record.
Gul said, ''of course, there are decisions which have been taken earlier. It is not in our hands'' and stated that the Greek Cypriot administration's accession process to the EU started a long time ago. He recalled that the Greek Cypriot side would also join the EU with 10 countries in May. Gul said that the EU did wrong when it took this decision and stated that the EU's accepting the Greek Cypriot side without solution to the problem was wrong.
''The thing which should be done now is to put forward an acceptable agreement. I am sure that both sides will come together after elections and exert efforts for a sincere solution. It should not be expected only from Turkish Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot side should also exert efforts for a compromise by assuming a similar sincere attitude,'' Gul said.
When a reporter said that Greece increased security measures on its border with Turkey, Gul said that Turkey and Greece were countries of this region and stated that the two countries decided to solve problems by dialogue. Gul said, ''we hope that the two neighboring countries will solve problems by dialogue. Thus, everybody should talk positively.''
When asked about his evaluations on statement of Iraqi Interim Governing Council Chairman Jalal Talabani that ''issue of Turkish soldiers was closed'', Gul said, ''everybody can speak whatever he wants''.
When Gul was reminded that United States did not include Turkish soldiers among its plans on Iraq in the coming six months, and asked whether or not this issue was removed from the agenda, Gul said necessary studies were underway on the issue, stressing that they would make necessary statements when time comes.
Replying to a question whether or not this statement would be that Turkey gave up dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, Gul said, ''you will see it soon.''
When Gul was reminded statement of Iraqi Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani that he wanted federation in Iraq, Gul said any steps which would endanger Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity should not be allowed. Gul said both United States and neighbors of Iraq revealed their sensitivity in this respect many times, adding that all ethnical elements in Iraq should be careful on this issue.
Gul said, ''if they fail to pay attention to this, potential dangers may erupt in the future.''
Replying to a question whether or not federation was a danger for political unity of Iraq, Gul said this was a technical issue, and that type of federation was important.
TUOMIOJA: ''EXPRESSION ABOUT CYPRUS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED POSITIVE IN REGARD TO OPENING A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR A SOLUTION''
Speaking at the press conference, Tuomioja said that a solution to the Cyprus question was not a pre-condition for Turkey's accession to the EU, but it was a fact that the Cyprus question should be resolved.
Upon a question about the letter sent by Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen of Finland to then Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit during the Helsinki Summit of 1999, Tuomioja said that the expression about the Cyprus question should be considered positive in regard to opening a window of opportunity for a solution.
Defending that the EU Commission, with the expression, had encouraged Turkey to find a solution to the Cyprus question, Tuomioja said that such a solution would be beneficial for everyone.
When reminded by a journalist that Turkey was sensitive about recognition of the PKK/KADEK by the EU as a terrorist organization, Tuomioja said that despite the talks, a consensus could not be reached among member countries yet.
Noting that acts of violence, murder and terrorism were, of course, unacceptable, Tuomioja highlighted importance of fight against terrorism.
Pointing out that Finland had some bitter experiences about terrorism because of the civil war in 1918, Tuomioja said that his country could not take a final decision yet about recognition of the PKK/KADEK as a terrorist organization.
Referring to bilateral relations between Turkey and Finland, Tuomioja recalled that he was the first Finnish foreign minister paying an official visit to Turkey.
Tuomioja said that they would pleased with sharing their EU experiences with Turkey.
Noting that there were not any problem between the two countries on the bilateral level, Tuomioja said that regional problems, especially Iraq and the Middle East, were brought onto agenda during his meeting with Gul.
Pointing out that they were quite sure that Turkey would join the EU family, Tuomioja said that they appreciated reforms in Turkey.
He highlighted importance of implementation of the reforms.
Meanwhile, Gul said in his part that ways to further improve economic relations between the two countries were discussed at the meeting.
''Finland has a special place in our history since it hosted the EU Summit in which Turkey's candidacy to the EU was officially announced,'' he said.

(BRC-EÖ-AY-AÖ) 07.11.2003