ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday that it was not appropriate to wait for a response immediately in some important developments such as U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's invitation to resume negotiations.
Gul returned from Brussels, Belgium to Turkey and replied to questions of reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.
Stating that every thing was carried out through consultation between Turkish government and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) administration after U.N. Secretary General Annan's invitation to the sides for February 10, Gul said that it was not appropriate to wait for a response immediately in such important developments.
''It is not right. People who undertake historic responsibilities should very well evaluate everything and then make a decision. Therefore, everything will be well evaluated and joint action will be taken at the end of right decisions,'' Gul said.
Replying to a question saying that Denktas would decide on whether or not to go to New York on February 10 when he returned to TRNC, Gul said that Turkey and TRNC continued their efforts in consultation.
Gul said, ''it is not right to expect immediate response in such important issues. Sides are acting with common sense.''
Foreign Minister Gul underlined that Turkey's positive attitude towards Cyprus issue would continue.
Gul said, ''undoubtedly, Denktas is the person who will make the most contribution to these issues because he is the leader of the society. Many issues will be under his leadership.''
Asked what Turkey would do unless Denktas accepted negotiation conditions, Gul said, ''Denktas is the leader of society. Annan plan is addressing leaders of two societies. Therefore, many issues will be under Denktas' leadership since he is the elected and historical leader of TRNC.''
TURKEY HAS LAUNCHED INITIATIVES TO TREAT IRAQIS INJURED IN IRBIL ATTACKS
Gul told reporters that Turkey had launched initiatives to treat the Iraqi people who were injured in attacks on offices of Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Irbil last Sunday.
Plane carrying seven people who were seriously injured in the attacks was about to land at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Gul said.
Gul noted that the Health Ministry had taken necessary steps and he once more condemned those attacks.
Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at PUK and KDP offices in Irbil, killing at least 109 people and injuring more than 200 on February 1.
TERRORIST ATTACKS ON INNOCENT PEOPLE CAN'T BE JUSTIFIED
Gul told reporters that he felt sorrow over the terrorist attack which was staged in Russian capital New York on Friday morning.
''These are incidents which we harshly condemn and which we never approve. These attacks on innocent people can never be justified,'' Gul added.
An explosion ripped through a subway car in the Moscow metro during morning rush hour Friday, killing about 40 people and injuring more than 100.
INCREDIBLY POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE IN EUROPEAN PLATFORMS TOWARDS TURKEY
Gul told reporters that he had the opportunity to explain Turkey's initiatives during his meetings.
He gave information about Turkey's practices and took up details of some common projects in his meetings, Gul said.
Gul noted that there were some people among Christian Democrats who were against Turkey but there was a reaction to those people in the same group.
Defining his visit to Brussels as ''short, busy and fruitful'', Gul said that Cyprus issue came onto agenda during his visit.
Gul added that he gave necessary information to all concerned parties about developments in Cyprus issue.
(AA) 06.02.2004