Sener: Turkey Never Considers Cyprus Issue A Precondition For Its E.U. Full Membership

ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said on Friday that Turkey never considered Cyprus issue a precondition for its European Union (EU) full membership.
Appearing on a television channel, Sener said that EU could not perceive it so.
Sener noted that Cyprus issue should be solved, but both sides should take positive steps for settlement of that issue.
''We never consider Cyprus issue a precondition for our EU full membership. And, EU can't perceive it as a precondition either. It is not possible to see any expression that puts forth such a perception in the current texts of the Union. Although some expressions about solution of Cyprus issue sometimes take place in texts, it is not a precondition. We have fulfilled Copenhagen criteria. EU will evaluate our efforts to adjust to Copenhagen criteria in its summit due in December 2004. And, I hope that negotiations will start immediately after this summit,'' Sener added.
(BRC-AÖ) 02.01.2004