KAYSERI - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that they believed that a sincere and new initiative should be launched and that preparations were underway in this respect.
Gul, who met with administrators of economy services of some newspapers in Central Kayseri Province, evaluated Turkey's European Union (EU) membership, Cyprus question, and developments in economy.
Gul said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with political party leaders in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) where he went to participate in ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of the foundation of TRNC.
When Gul was recalled that opposition in TRNC thought differently from TRNC President Rauf Denktas regarding the solution, he said, ''the initiative will be launched together with those who win the elections in TRNC. Preparations continue at the time being. The initiative should be toward a serious negotiation and compromise. Of course the compromise should have two sides. The other side should show the same understanding. Turkey will do what is necessary. Realities on the island will be taken into consideration while doing this.''
When asked what he meant by saying a new initiative in Cyprus, and about the developments that would occur in case opposition wins the elections, Gul said, ''Turkish Cypriot people will take a decision after the elections. It is clear that elections will take place in an honest way. Those who have doubts may go and cover the elections. We sent invitations to international institutions to come and watch the elections. They should go and observe the elections not to say anything after the elections. What I mean to say is that: This is a new period. Everybody should pull himself together. This is not a period to act with enmity, slogans and excitement. A serious analysis should be made and long term efforts should be exerted. A result can be reached in case the other side shows the same sincerity, efforts and honesty.
Gul said, ''the other side may not exert the same efforts and show the same honesty. They may think that, 'we have taken our step in the EU.' In this case, there is nothing to say. We continuously warn the EU. We say 'you can not expect everything from Turkey''.
Stating that both sides should take steps to reach a compromise, Gul said, ''EU had already made a mistake in the past. It accepted a controversial country. The EU had to tell the Greek Cypriot side to come after solving the problems. But it did not. A timetable had been set in 1999, and we have come to the end of this process.''
Gul said Turkey's membership to the EU will serve peace in the Middle East and the world as well as Europe, adding that it would be an evidence that a Muslim country could be democrat and transparent, and fulfill human rights standards in the highest level.
(AY) 16.11.2003