ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who also acts as leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has said, ''the Cyprus question, our national cause, should not be shown as opposite of our target of entering the European Union (EU), which has become a main element of Turkey's national policy.''
Speaking at the group meeting of the AK Party, Prime Minister Erdogan gave information about his visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on November 15.
''Turkey has pioneering position in its region. Our country has been continuing to act as an element of stability in a region of turmoil and risks. We cannot take a step backward from our targets. As I said on numerous occasions, we should stay away from clashes and tensions in order to increase credibility of our country. We have the inheritance of tolerance in this geography,'' he emphasized.
Prime Minister Erdogan noted, ''after celebrating the 80th anniversary of foundation of the Republic of Turkey, we attended ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of TRNC. It was very meaningful in regard to showing the importance of historical ties and friendly relations between Turkey and TRNC.''
Erdogan said that they had chance to say that they would be beside Turkish Cypriot people during their cause of existence and said that during his visit to TRNC, they said that insolubility was not a solution and they would continue say it. Erdogan said that they wanted a solution and noted that solution in Cyprus should be fair and lasting. Erdogan went on saying, ''it should be a solution which recognizes bi-zonality and equality between two sides. The path for reaching a lasting solution on Cyprus issue is to accept that the issue has two sides.''
Stating that Turkey considered Cyprus question as a national cause, Erdogan said, ''everyone should know that there is also another a fact that Turkey's accession to the EU is also a target that we have to reach. Both issues should be taken up within their own reality and sensitivity. Those issues should not be connected with each other. Supporting cause of existence of Turkish Cypriot people and taking steps for Turkey's target to join the EU are not contradictory factors.''
Noting that Cyprus issue which was Turkey's national cause should not be showed as if it was contrary to Turkey's target to join the Union, he said that the government showed sensitivity to the issue.
Erdogan stressed, ''I would like to say once again that international public opinion's showing sensitivity to the issue will help both settlement of a fair peace in Cyprus and also Turkey's target to join the EU.''
(UK-EÖ-AY) 18.11.2003