ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that solidarity was obligatory in fight against terrorism.
Gul and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer held a joint press conference following their meeting.
Foreign Minister Gul said that terrorist activities would never turn Turkey away from its path.
Gul noted that Fischer came to Ankara to support Turkish people following the bomb attacks in Istanbul and conveyed his and German government's condolences for victims of the attacks.
They would never forget that gesture of Fischer and the German government, Gul stressed.
Gul said that they debated how terrorist activities occurred and connections of the terrorists and terrorist organizations in their meeting.
''In our meeting, we once more reiterated our determination to fight against terrorism. We confirmed that solidarity is obligatory in fight against terrorism,'' Gul said.
Gul stated that they took up Turkey's European Union (EU) process in their meeting.
Noting that Turkey's reforms on road to EU membership and its progress in democratization as a Muslim country were appreciated, Gul said, ''we said that such terrorist activities would never turn Turkey away from its path and our government would continue democratization and reform packages determinedly.''
When he was recalled about the news published by The Times that Scotland Yard thought of sending a team comprised of experts in terrorism to eastern Bingol province to investigate terrorists who were involved in attacks in Istanbul, Gul said that it was a news story published in a newspaper.
Gul noted that the security forces were exerting necessary efforts and they identified the terrorists in a very short time. Many people were detained, Gul said.
Gul stated that Turkey cooperated with other countries in fight against terrorism, adding, ''but, details will be determined by security forces. Visit of a group from Scotland Yard to Bingol and their investigation or their interrogation there are out of question for the time being.''
Fischer expressed deep sorrow over bomb attacks in Istanbul and reiterated determination to fight against terrorism.
Asked if terrorist activities would hamper Turkey's steps on the road to EU, Fischer refrained from joining those discussions because it was an issue concerning internal politics.
Fischer touched on Helsinki and Copenhagen criteria, will and steps of Turkish government on the road to EU membership when commenting on Turkey's membership process.
Turkey's EU membership was for the geostrategic and political benefit of both EU and Turkey, Fischer stressed.
Fischer said that the most important issue in the wake of bomb attacks in Turkey was solidarity and noted that he did not consider discussions on possible effects of those attacks on Turkey's EU membership process as right.
Asked about his view on paragraph on Cyprus in the 2003 progress report of EU Commission, Fischer said that it was very natural that he found the report objective. If he said the opposite, he would be in a difficult political situation, he added.
Fischer stated that all sides should do their best for a settlement in Cyprus issue.
Noting that efforts should be exerted for a solution, Fischer said that a long-term settlement which would reflect rightful interests of the sides should be reached.
Fischer said that they also took up Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East and Turkey's EU membership process in their meeting.
Accomplishment of modernization process of Turkey was important for Turkish people, Fischer stated.
Fischer pointed out that Turkey's success in fields like democratization, human rights and economic development would make Turkey a model country.
Turkish government would continue to walk on its road to EU, Fischer said.
Fischer expressed pleasure with confirmation of the government that reforms would continue to be put into practice determinedly.
Germany would continue its support to Turkey's EU process, Fischer added.
Fischer gave Gul a box of candy, a Turkish tradition ahead of Ramadan holiday that begins Tuesday. Gul gave Fischer a box of Turkish delight.
(BRC-AÖ) 24.11.2003