ANKARA - Abdullah Gul, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said on Sunday that Turkey had reached its best point ever in its EU process and Turkey's path was open for the first time to start negotiations.
Gul said in an interview in private TV channel ''Kanal D'' that Turkey's steps to start negotiations were appreciated and supported. He added that the expressions about Turkey that took place in final statement of latest Brussels summit were the most affirmative of all.
Gul noted that Turkey took important steps on economic criteria and the report issued in Brussels summit eulogized Turkey in regard to economic sections of Copenhagen criteria.
Recalling that there was an expression in latest progress report saying Turkey could not join the EU in case Cyprus question was not solved, Gul said this expression was changed as solution of Cyprus question would help considerably in Turkey's membership process as a result of their objections because there was no such condition in Copenhagen political criteria.
Gul said that they continuously told their European interlocutors that they should not expect only from Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to take steps and they should put pressure on Greek Cypriot side as well. He added that their warnings seemed to have an influence in the reports issued in Brussels summit and for the first time all sides were called to exert efforts.
Noting that there were preparations both in Turkey and TRNC within the scope of efforts to reach a solution in Cyprus, Gul said Turkey would come to a point that ''it eased the solution'' when all these preparations would be combined. ''Yet, this does not mean that Turkey will accept everything that is imposed,'' he added. Gul said that they would exert every sincere effort to reach a solution based on compromise before May 1, 2004.
Responding to a question if Turkey's relations with Cyprus would be strained in case opposition won, Gul underlined that Turkey was a guarantor state and last word would be uttered by Turkish parliament. ''Whoever wins the election, they cannot move independently from Turkey,'' he said.
''If they assume an attitude considering Turkey as non-existent, this disturbs us,'' said Gul, emphasizing that it would be Turkey who would say ''yes'' or ''no'' in a decision about Cyprus question as the guarantor state.
Gul recalled that European leaders revealed their support after terrorist attacks in Istanbul.
''During the Brussels Summit, European leaders have emphasized their support to Turkey following Istanbul bombings. Also, they have given the messages that they attributed great importance to fight against terrorism,'' he said.
Referring to statements of EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen for Enlargement, Gul said, ''I read the original text of his speech. It was different. However, Turkey cannot accept it. The speech was far away from Turkey's thesis.''
Upon a question about seizure of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, Gul said, ''a new era has begun in Iraq. There is not any obstacle in front of development of democracy in Iraq. During the era of Saddam, Iraqi people suffered much. In fact, Iraq is rich of both work force and natural resources. If there had been a rational administration in Iraq, Iraqi people would have lived in a rich and prosperous atmosphere.''
Warning that division of Iraq would give rise to turmoil both in Iraq and in the region, Gul said, ''Turkey has put forward its sensitivity from the very beginning. Prevention of division will be beneficial for people living in northern Iraq.''
Recalling that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would pay a visit to the United States in January, Gul said, ''Prime Minister Erdogan will have a very comprehensive agenda during his visit to the United States. Issues such as developments in Iraq, the terrorist organization of PKK/KADEK, fight against international terrorism and economic co-operation will be discussed in detail. The United States-Turkey relations have been based on a sound ground. These relations will continue by protecting their importance.''
CTP CHAIRMAN TALAT: ''RENEWING ELECTIONS IS RISKY''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Republican Turkish Party-United Powers (CTP-GB) leader Mehmet Ali Talat said on Monday that he considered renewing elections risky.
Talat recalled in a statement that Greek Cypriot side would officially be an EU member in May 1, 2004 and said, ''there was limited time to join the EU, and making an election whose result was unclear in that limited time would be wrong.''
Responding to a question, Talat said that he did not have any contact with an official in Ankara in regard to election results and he did not talk with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan either.
Talat said, ''we are the leading party. We are happy. But it seems difficult to reach our targets in this evenly balanced situation.''
Mehmet Ali Talat said it was possible to make a coalition with Democrat Party (DP) arithmetically, but their party was not warm to such a coalition.
(AÖ-UK-AY) 15.12.2003