KARABUK - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early on Thursday that the government passed reform packages because it believed Turkey would get a negotiation date from European Union (EU) in December.
Erdogan replied to questions of reporters if Turkey would solve Cyprus issue in 2004 and if Turkey could get a date to open negotiations with EU in 2004.
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''the first thing to be done about Cyprus issue is to form a government in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). We hope that Mr. Talat can form the government. After the government is formed in TRNC, there is May 1 process in front of us. There is an Annan plan on the table in this May 1 process. We hope that Cyprus solution will be solved and a fair and lasting solution on which two sides reach compromise can be found by initiatives to be carried out within the scope of Annan plan on May 1.''
Erdogan said, ''Foreign Ministry and General Staff officials have worked on this issue. They have prepared a draft at the end of their initiatives. They briefed us on their initiatives. We asked them questions about their work. They will now work on these questions. We will evaluate this issue in the new year. We have passed reform packages because we believe we can get a date to start negotiations with EU in December. We will put these packages into practice. We will fulfil our duties.''
Turkey was determined to make necessary preparations for negotiation process in December 2004, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan said, ''but, we always say that this is not the end of the world. Our country doesn't lose anything with the initiatives we are exerting. Our people gain from our efforts.''
''As how we wish to join EU, EU should also wish that Turkey will be its member,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that not only Turkey but also EU would gain from Turkey's membership.
Prime Minister Erdogan said that the Foreign Ministry and the General Staff worked on Cyprus issue in conformity.
Erdogan added nobody should try to cause row between the government and army when the world was welcoming 2004.
(BRC) 01.01.2004