ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that it was time to think calmly after the elections in TRNC, adding that all the sides in TRNC and Turkey should work together to make the future of Cyprus brighter.
Speaking to reporters before his departure to Japan, Gul said that he spoke with TRNC President Rauf Denktas and leaders of the parties which had the right to join the parliament by phone and congratulated them as they showed how strong was the democratic structure of TRNC.
Gul said that some foreign circles earlier launched efforts to create many problems about the elections, but TRNC leaders made these efforts in vain.
``Now, it is time to think calmly, we will assess together the future of Cyprus, its relations with Turkey and EU process. Certainly, we will attribute importance to views of Denktas,`` said Gul.
Gul said that all the political parties, Denktas and Turkey should work together to make the future of TRNC brighter.
When asked what was the message of Turkish Cypriot people, Gul said that people certainly favoured the solution and on the other hand they attributed importance to the views of Denktas and Turkey, they wanted TRNC to protect its rights and laws and resume of talks in a rational way. Gul said this was also the wish of Turkey, but this didn`t mean that everything imposed on TRNC would be accepted. ``There is an opportunity to sort out the problem. Turkish Cypriot people also shared the view that good willing efforts had to be shown for solution of Cyprus issue. We hope that Greek Cypriot side will also show the same behaviour,`` said Gul.
Recalling that EU in its Brussels summit called all sides including the Greek Cypriot side to exert efforts for solution of Cyprus problem, adding that he wanted everybody to abide by this call. ``Now we must think calmly and complete preparations to start these studies,`` said Gul.
When asked whether Turkey would wait for the forming of government after the elections for launching new initiatives, Gul said that of course forming of government was important and it was not easy, adding that he hoped that everybody would act with common sense and responsibility and a solution would be reached. He said that activities were carried on both in Turkey and Cyprus within this period and after a reasonable time, more concrete ideas would appear and those ideas would be combined and the path of Turkey would be clear accordingly.
Upon a question, Gul said that Ankara did not have any concern about difficulty of time and added that Denktas was speaking in a responsible manner and everybody was aware of everything. He said that thus, everybody would take the right steps by making mutual consultations together.
Upon another question, Gul said that in the end, the Turkish Parliament would say either yes or no to a solution which would be put forth regarding TRNC problem. He added that certainly this would not be done without Turkey and everybody would take Turkey`s views into consideration.
Regarding capture of Saddam Hussein, Gul said that a new period has started in Iraq and added that this period should be a period faster in transition to democracy.
Noting that Iraqi people suffered very much during Saddam period and entered meaningless wars and spent its sources in vain, Gul said that everybody should take lessons from this and added that this was the best example that showed wrong leaders could devastate the country.
Gul said that he hoped that past was forgotten and an Iraq which was more conciliatory, democratic and prosperous would appear in the future, adding that it was for Turkey`s interest as well.
GUL: TURKISH AND JAPANESE FIRMS WILL BE IN JOINT COOPERATION IN RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ
Gul told existing potential between Turkey and Japan on economic cooperation field was creating an appropriate milieu for making cooperation in third countries as well, adding that Iraq was the leading country among such countries.
Stressing that Japan reserved an important amount of fund for reconstruction of Iraq, Gul said that he hoped that Turkish and Japanese firms would be in joint cooperation in reconstruction of Iraq.
Noting that Turkey and Japan had traditional friendship relations since the 19th century and there were good relations today as well, Gul said that the attitudes of the two countries in international arena mostly coincided with each other. He added that economic cooperation and cultural relations were also gaining strength.
Gul said that Turkey would never forget the closeness and humanitarian aid of Japan after Marmara earthquake.
Noting that development of bilateral relations on political, economical and other fields in a way that would reflect the friendly atmosphere between two countries would be one of the most important agenda item of his meetings in Japan, Gul said that they would also take up international and regional issues, especially fight against terrorism and the Iraq issue.
Gul said that ``our aim is to speed up the Turkish-Japanese relations and cooperation which are based on strong foundation. I hope my visit will be useful in respect of bilateral relations.``
Recalling that the year 2003 was declared as Turkish year in Japan, Gul said that Japan gave this opportunity to six countries throughout its history and Turkey was one of those countries.
``The broadest promotion activities of Turkey continue in Japan since February, 2003. Whenever our government came to power, it closely dealt with this issue and it allocated funds to benefit from this historical opportunity in the best way. A big promotion on Turkey continues in Japan. Totally 150 cultural activities were held in Japan throughout the year,`` said Gul.
Gul stated that following his contacts in Tokyo, he would proceed to Osaka and open the exhibition ``Three Big Empires: Hittite, Byzantium and Ottomans`` there.
Gul stated that he would be received by Japanese Prince and Princess Mikasa, meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, speaker of the House of Representatives and deputy speaker of the senate.
Gul said he would also speak to many press organs and meet with Turkish citizens in Japan, adding he would also have contacts in economic field.
Foreign Minister Gul said he would also meet with Japanese members of the Turkish-Japanese Business Council and attend various meetings to promote the investment environment in Turkey.

(GC-Öª-AÖ) 15.12.2003