ISTANBUL - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said on Tuesday that if Cyprus issue was put as a precondition before European Union (EU) full membership, it should be a precondition before the Greek Cypriot side not before Turkey.
Replying to questions of reporters on Turkey's EU membership process, Sener said that their government was determined to progress on the road to EU and launched an intensive campaign with all parts of the society.
Sener noted that EU countries had never been so close to Turkey as it was today and went on saying, ''a date to open full membership negotiations will be given in the EU summit due in December 2004. We believe that negotiations will immediately start. If you ask about Cyprus issue and the last progress report, I still think that Cyprus issue is not a precondition before EU full membership. There are expressions regarding Cyprus in some texts but none of these expressions point out that Cyprus issue is perceived as a precondition.''
''And, even we should say that if Cyprus issue is a precondition before EU full membership, it should be a precondition for the EU full membership of Greek Cypriot side not Turkey,'' Sener said.
Sener stated that when Cyprus was mentioned, Greek Cypriot side and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were understood.
''When you consider the issue this way, Cyprus issue shows that a conflict will occur in EU. And, a Greek Cypriot side which has solved the issue should become a full member. In fact, this dimension of the issue is important for EU,'' Sener said.
Asked about regulations on National Security Council (NSC), Accounting Bureau and Supreme Board and Television and Radio (RTUK), Sener recalled that legal changes were made to NSC in former adjustment packages and preparation of regulations concerning that legal change continued.
Sener added that the regulations could be completed in coming days.
(BRC-ÖŞ) 11.11.2003