ANKARA - Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday that Turkish government welcomed the starting of negotiation process in Cyprus and added, ''what is decided here as a method is the issue which our Prime Minister has suggested to Simitis in Belgrade a while ago.''
Cicek told reporters after the Council of Ministers meeting that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul informed ministers about the developments in foreign policy which happened since the previous Council of Ministers meeting until today. He added that the process in New York was followed together with press.
Noting that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had a constructive manner for the solution of Cyprus issue and the decision of Turkish side has become very determining on starting of this process, Cicek thanked those who had contribution to the process and especially to TRNC President Rauf Denktas and all members of the delegation.
Cicek said that Turkish government welcomed the starting of negotiation process in Cyprus. He added, ''what is determined as negotiation method today is the method which our Prime Minister has suggested to Simitis in Belgrade a while ago. We hope we will reach a happy end and peace and tranquility will be brought to island with the process that will start on Thursday in Cyprus. We hope events which were experienced in Cyprus before 1974 are not experienced again and a just and permanent peace will be restored. We, as Turkey, are exerting every effort.''
''The process which will start as of Thursday is a difficult process. It is a process which we have to work hard. We should exert every effort for the success of Turkish side in this process. We know what Cyprus means for Turkey and TRNC. We know the pains which were suffered in the past. Thus, we will exert all effort to reach a result during the period until May 1,'' noted Cicek.
Cicek said that as Cyprus issue was a national cause, it should not be used as a tool in internal politics, adding that everybody had to be in solidarity regarding Cyprus.
Cicek said that Cyprus policy pursued by the government was formed in cooperation with the President, all state units, TRNC President Denktas and all units of TRNC.
''There is a state policy. Our Foreign Ministry Undersecretary gave information to Republican People's Party (CHP) and True Path Party (DYP) about the outlines and essence of the issue prior to the negotiations in New York. A written reply was also given to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) upon its request. Information will be given to parliament tomorrow and this process will also continue later. We believe that we will overcome this difficult test together during the process which will start as of Thursday,'' Cicek said.
Noting that Foreign Minister Gul informed the cabinet about the fifth neighbouring countries of Iraq meeting held in Kuwait, Cicek recalled that Turkey started those meetings.
Cicek said that Turkey found the opportunity to express its views about developments in Iraq and its wish of installing peace in Iraq as soon as possible, adding that ''every development in Iraq concern Turkey and its neighbours. We believe that these meetings will be beneficial.'' Cicek said that the next meeting would be held in Egypt.
Cicek stressed that 2004 could be a year of destiny, ''a golden year'' for Turkey, adding that ''very important meetings will be held in Turkey in 2004. Decisions will be taken about Turkey, among them are the foreign ministers meeting of Organization of the Islamic Conference, and NATO summit. And at the end of the year, EU will give a decision about Turkey. Turkey will be high on the agenda in the world in 2004. This is very important. If we can benefit from these opportunities well, I believe that it will be a golden year for Turkey.''
Cicek stressed that foreign policy would be an unchangeable item on agenda during the Council of Ministers meeting from then on.
Cicek added that State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin informed the cabinet that one law, and seven regulations were adopted regarding EU since the last cabinet meeting.
CICEK: TURKEY AND TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE ARE RIGHT IN CYPRUS ISSUE
Upon a question about Cyprus talks, Cicek said that ''it is a difficult process. I don't consider right to make estimations as of today or to issue statements which will affect negotiations this or that way. Turkey and TRNC side sat at the negotiation table with good will for solution of the problem and showed a performance which surprised everybody. If negotiation process started in Cyprus today, Turkey and Denktas had an important role in that regard. Turkey and Turkish Cypriot side are right in Cyprus issue, but maybe they could not explain their rightfulness to the world public opinion sufficiently to date... Consequently, Turkey and Turkish Cypriot side were shown as the ones responsible for the insolubility in Cyprus. But this belief has changed in a considerable extent with New York talks. We did our utmost for solution of this problem as Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side, and the negotiations will continue with this understanding,'' he noted.

(AA) 16.02.2004