STOCKHOLM - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul met on Wednesday with Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds.
Speaking at joint press conference held after bilateral meeting and meetings between delegations, Gul said that they agreed with Freivalds that both Turkey and the European Union (EU) would make profit with Turkey's membership to EU.
Gul said that they had a sincere meeting with Freivalds and added that they took up bilateral relations and Turkey's EU membership process. He said that he gave broad information regarding reform packages of the government and developments about the practice of those reforms.
Gul said that they also exchanged views about Iraq and other regional issues during the meeting.
Gul said regarding the decision of Council of Europe about Loizidu case that negotiations were continuing and they hoped that an agreement would be reached.
Upon a question regarding the attacks in Istanbul, Gul said that the police determined the identities of assailants and DNA tests were made about them, adding that there were information that the assailants were going to Afghanistan from time to time.
Freivalds said that they were observing the effects of reforms on the practice of laws in Turkey.
Freivalds said that new laws' putting into effect and their reflection on all parts of society was important and added that they were expecting the reform activities on the situation of women and basic rights and freedoms to reach an end.
Noting that they were approaching the issue with good will, Freivalds said that membership negotiations would start when Turkey fulfilled Copenhagen criteria and added that they hoped to reach a level to start negotiations.
Upon a question regarding Cyprus issue, Freivalds said that this issue was not a part of Copenhagen criteria, but it was a political reality which had to be solved.
(GC-AY) 19.11.2003