BRUSSELS - Sources close to Turkish Foreign Ministry are pleased with paragraphs of the final statement issued at the end of the European Union (EU) summit regarding Turkey and Cyprus.
The sources said on Friday that the paragraphs of the final statement on Turkey and Cyprus were the most positive paragraphs written in the summits held so far.
Those paragraphs kept open and encouraged the path of Turkey to get a date for opening of EU accession negotiations at the end of 2004, the sources noted.
The sources said that the paragraphs encouraged Turkey for 2004 and supported efforts of Ankara government.
The paragraphs listed expectations from Turkey regarding opening of negotiations, the sources stated.
The sources pointed out that what was wanted from Turkey was clearly stated.
Expectations from Turkey were ''independence and functionality of jurisdiction, fundamental liberties, compliance of military-civilian relations in Turkey with that in EU, situation and cultural rights in the Southeastern Anatolia Region'', the sources noted.
The sources said that the document emphasized that Turkey approached EU.
Cyprus issue was included in Turkey paragraph of the final statement for the first time, the sources stated.
The sources noted that there were better expressions in this final statement when compared with the previous ones.
The same sources drew attention that the statement emphasized the preference of EU accession of a united Cyprus and it reflected the hope that Cyprus issue would be settled till May 1.
The sources said that the statement called on all sides, particularly Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), to support United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General ''without referring to Annan plan.''
Underlining that the statement stressed importance of solidarity with Turkey in the paragraph on terrorism, the sources also touched on importance of contributions of Italy's Term Presidency to that positive final statement.
(BRC) 12.12.2003