ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey should definitely solve Cyprus issue and stated that Annan plan should be discussed.
Sources said that Gul assessed developments regarding Cyprus issue at the meeting of the chairmen of main branches of AK Party in provinces.
Stressing that there were discussions on Annan plan, he said that the plan should be debated. Gul stated that negotiating Annan plan did not mean to accept whole plan.
Gul noted that a report on solution of Cyprus issue which was prepared by Foreign Ministry would be submitted to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan next week and stated that there was no other option than negotiating Annan plan at that moment.
Underlining that Greek Cypriot side would be a member of the European Union (EU) in May 2004, Gul said that Turkey would see a new state during the EU process.
Gul said that views of this state would be officially recognized by the EU and stated that to this end, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) could not benefit from anything.
Stressing that Cyprus issue was an issue in which 70 million people were interested, he said that's why they had to solve this issue.
Gul said that as long as there was confidence and stability in the country, esteem of the country also increased abroad and added that there was confidence and stability in Turkey now.
(EÖ-AÖ) 29.12.2003