KUWAIT CITY - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that European Union (EU) Commission President Romano Prodi assured Turkish government that an agreement to be reached in Cyprus would be made in compliance with EU acquis.
Gul, aboard the plane from Turkey to Kuwait to attend the meeting of neighbor countries to Iraq, told reporters that he and Prodi took up the ways to make an agreement to be reached in Cyprus in compliance with EU acquis during Prodi`s visit to Ankara.
Prodi gave him necessary assurances, Gul stated.
Gul praised stance of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas in meetings and consultations on Cyprus in New York and said, ``if Denktas hadn`t assumed such an attitude, we couldn`t have ensured an atmosphere of unity. Therefore, he is playing a historic role.``
Thanking EU for its stance during the consultations in New York, Gul said, ``EU has really behaved like a European. It acted like the objective Europe image in everybody`s mind.``
Gul stated that Turkey`s preference was compromise of two sides in the island at first stage without any need for intervention of guarantor states and stressed that it would be the best.
When a reporter pointed out to the possibility that the Greek Cypriots would again try to delay the process, Gul said that a certain mechanism was formed in New York and noted that ``a referendum would be held in any case.``
Gul said, ``we have always preferred a solution before May 1.``
They analyzed the process in every respect, Gul pointed out.
Gul noted that they reached the conclusion that accession of Cyprus to EU as a new partnership on May 1 would be for everybody`s benefit.
Asked about possible reflections of solution of Cyprus issue to solution of other problems in the region, Gul said, ``we should consider the alternatives. Look at Palestinian-Israeli dispute. Opportunities were not seized there. If a result is taken in Cyprus, this will bring Turkey to an encouraging position in solution of other problems like Azerbaijan, Iraq.``
When recalled about the comments that two leaders behind the compromise reached in Cyprus and leaders behind the backstage efforts could be presented with Nobel Peace Award, Gul said, ``there is still a long path to walk and many things to do.``
Asked if Turkey was assured to start EU full membership negotiations in case of settlement of Cyprus issue, Gul said that nobody would call them and give assurances.
Gul said, ``the expectation is obvious. There are a few more things. Nobody can say no to starting negotiations after we have done everything and solved Cyprus issue.``
Noting that they had attached importance to participation of Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari to the meeting in Kuwait, Gul said that an atmosphere of confidence would be formed after they expressed their view about problems in Iraq.
(BRC-AY) 14.02.2004