ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that Turkey preferred to find a solution in Cyprus before May 1, stating that everybody should start working patiently and with good will.
Replying to questions of reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport after returning from Warsaw, Gul said Turkey's good will was clear and that they hoped a compromise would be reached this time.
Emphasizing that both Turkish and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) delegations went to New York with good will, Gul said contacts continued properly so far.
Gul stated that several preliminary talks were held so far, and that talks are expected to start at 23.00 Turkish local time. Gul said he hoped a lasting solution would be found before May 1, stating that Turkey and TRNC exerted efforts in this respect.
Gul said he continued talks with the related sides during his visit to Poland, and that he continuously gave information to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Giving information about his visits in Poland, Gul pointed out that it was the first time a Turkish Foreign Minister visited Poland after 11 years, noting that the visit was successful and fruitful.
Gul said bilateral relations between Turkey and Poland were reviewed and that they decided to improve trade and economic relations.
Pointing out that there were many Turkish businessmen in Poland and that they had successful investments, Gul said Poland expended support to Turkey's full membership process to the European Union (EU).

CYPRUS MEETING IN PRIME MINISTRY
Gul and several related ministers convened in Prime Ministry on Tuesday about Cyprus issue.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to join the meeting after his return from South Korea.
State Ministers Abdullatif Sener and Mehmet Ali Sahin, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu attended the meeting.
Developments about Cyprus issue will be reviewed during the meeting and the situation would be evaluated according to the messages that would come from New York.
(AY) 10.02.2004