ANKARA - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said on Wednesday that Germany would continue to support Turkey's road to European Union (EU) membership.
Foreign Minister Gul and his German counterpart Joschka Fischer held a joint press conference following their tete-a-tete meeting and meeting between Turkish and German delegations.
Fischer expressed pleasure with his visit to Turkey and said that there was a close friendship between two countries.
Recalling that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in Berlin a while ago, Fischer said that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder would visit Turkey soon and stressed importance of that visit.
Fischer drew attention that his visit was a preparation for Schroeder's visit.
He and Gul took up Turkey-EU relations and evaluated Turkey's efforts in line with Copenhagen criteria, Fischer stated.
Fischer said that although Turkey had recorded significant progress, there was still some progress it had to record in practice.
Cooperation between EU Commission and Turkey would be important in coming days, Fischer pointed out.
Fischer appreciated progress recorded by Turkey but said that Turkey had to do more in practice and showed human rights and Cyprus issue as example of fields they wanted more developments.
He had the opportunity to meet with United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan and take up Cyprus issue before he came to Turkey, Fischer said.
Fischer said that they would work to solve the issue and they would do their best to find a solution to Cyprus issue within the framework of European spirit and U.N. principles.
Turkey and Germany were two close friends and partners, Fischer stressed.
Fischer noted that Germany would continue to support Turkey's road to EU membership.
He and Gul also took up regional issues concerning two countries in their meeting, Fischer stated.
Fischer pointed out that they took up Iraq issue and stressed importance of formation of a stable and independent administration in the possible shortest time.
German Foreign Minister Fischer added that he and Gul also discussed regional issues like Middle East, Afghanistan, Caucasus and Central Asia.
TWO SIDES IN CYPRUS SHOULD SEIZE CURRENT OPPORTUNITY
Fischer said that two sides in Cyprus should seize the current opportunity.
Fischer said that United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would meet in Davos a few days later.
Asked if he brought a message from Annan to Ankara, Fischer said that there was no need for that because Erdogan and Annan would meet soon.
Fischer stated that important details and technical issues concerning Cyprus issue would be taken up in the meeting between Erdogan and Annan.
Although Cyprus issue was a long-lasting problem, developments which could not be predicted by anybody had been recorded recently, Fischer said.
Fischer pointed out that Turkey was approaching Europe rapidly.
German Foreign Minister Fischer expressed belief that it would be very bad for interests of the two sides if they did not seize that opportunity.
Fischer refrained from replying to a question if he was hopeful about solution of Cyprus issue till May 1 since it was an hypothesis.
However, Fischer said that he would be very pleased if the issue was settled till then.
Asked what Germany's attitude towards opening of Turkey's membership negotiations would be in EU summit due in December 2004 in case a solution could not be found to Cyprus issue till May 1, Fischer said that the question depended on a hypothesis.
Fischer said that there were important opportunities and noted that EU Commission President Romano Prodi's visit to Ankara was very fruitful.
Everybody knew what he/she should do, Fischer stated.
Fischer noted that he did not come to Ankara to make recommendations.
Finding a solution to Cyprus issue in the possible shortest time would create a positive atmosphere, Fischer pointed out.
Fischer added that not only two sides in the island but also Turkey and Greece should exert efforts to find a solution to Cyprus issue.
Fischer said that Germany wished that peace would be restored in Iraq soon.
When he was recalled that Turkey was uneasy about move to form an ethnic-based federation in Iraq and asked about attitude of his country, Fischer drew attention that Germany was not a part of the coalition.
Fischer said that a solution to the issue should be found in Iraq.
Efforts continued in Iraq to form a constitution, Fischer noted.
Fischer wished that peace would be restored in Iraq rapidly.
A common attitude should be assumed towards peace, Fischer emphasized. Otherwise, Fischer added, everybody would pay very high costs.
INDEPENDENT JUSTICE WILL DECIDE ON KAPLAN'S SITUATION
Fischer said that independent justice would decide on extradition of Metin Kaplan, son of Cemalettin Kaplan, known as ''Black voice'' in Turkey, the head of the Union of Islamic Communities and Societies that was banned in Germany.
Foreign Minister Gul and his German counterpart Joschka Fischer held a joint press conference following their tete-a-tete meeting and meeting between Turkish and German delegations.
Fischer said that German Interior Minister had announced German government's attitude towards the issue and there was no change in their stance.
Independent German justice was dealing with the issue at the moment, Fischer noted.
Fischer added that it was not possible for anybody to intervene in the judicial process.
(BRC) 21.01.2004