BURSA - Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said on Friday that if Cyprus issue could not be solved on May 1, 2004, whole world should know that its responsibility did not belong to Turkey.
Cicek visited Public Chief Prosecutor Emin Ozler and Bar Chairman Asude Senol in Bursa courthouse.
Cicek later attended opening ceremony of Ataturk Monument in the garden of courthouse.
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, Cicek said that they attributed great importance to Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic, with respect to Turkish history and Turkish Republic State and added that everyone should understand it.
Cicek said that Ataturk was not only the founder of state, but also architecture of modernization project.
Stating that there was a Cyprus issue which should be overcome and a decision should be taken on this issue, Cicek said that Turkey had some expectations on Cyprus.
Cicek said, ''we have little time on this issue. Turkey should make good use of the time. If Cyprus issue cannot be solved on May 1, 2004, whole world should and will know that its responsibility does not belong to us. We will exert efforts for it.''
Noting that they were taking the last curve with the European Union (EU), Cicek said that EU had to set a negotiation date for Turkey in December 2004. He added that Turkey took very important steps so far.
(EÖ-AÖ) 02.01.2004