ROME - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that the government was determined to implement reforms on the road to European Union (EU) membership.
Gul, who came to Italian capital Rome to meet with foreign Ministers of EU Troika, attended a dinner hosted in his honor at Turkey's Embassy in Rome.
Foreign Minister Gul told A.A correspondent that this meeting was important because it was the first meeting with his European colleagues after the Regular Report on the progress towards accession of Turkey for 2003 had been announced.
Gul drew attention that Turkey had fulfilled political criteria and legal reforms and said, ''the government is determined to become an EU member.''
Noting that the government would also be determined to implement reforms, Gul said, ''we will take significant steps for implementation within one or two months. New regulations on National Security Council, Supreme Board of Radio and Television and Accounting Office are to be concluded. They will be put into practice after they are completed. Therefore, our government is determined to implement them.''
Touching on the recent developments in Turkish-U.S. relations regarding Iraq issue, Gul said, ''the United States didn't listen to us and now, it is facing problems.''
Gul drew attention that the United States had to fight with the terrorist organization PKK/KADEK and said, ''the United States, which is fighting against terrorism around the world, can't assume a different attitude towards PKK.''
Foreign Minister Gul signaled that they would start an initiative for solution of Cyprus issue after the elections in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Gul said, ''we will be in a serious effort to reach an agreement in order to settle the issue after the elections. We expect the Greek Cypriot side to exert the same effort.''
Asked if the solution would be reached within the scope of Annan Plan, Gul said, ''we are conscious that we should be realistic.''
Gul added, ''TRNC has drawn attention with its democratic structure for a long time. Likewise, it has been clearly stated that if it wishes, every international organization can send an observer to TRNC before the elections. We are sure the elections will be held in a democratic atmosphere.''
(BRC) 10.11.2003