ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has said, ``if the Turkish Cypriot side says `yes`, and the Greek Cypriot side says `no` in the referendum to be held in Cyprus on April 24, there will not be any other choice expect for recognizing Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).``
Following tete-a-tete talks and meetings between Turkish and Bangladeshi delegations, Gul and Foreign Minister Morshed Khan of Bangladesh held a joint press conference on Friday.
Upon a question, Gul told reporters, ``if the Turkish Cypriot side says `yes`, and the Greek Cypriot side says `no` in the referendum to be held in Cyprus on April 24, there will not be any other choice expect for recognizing TRNC and lifting unfair embargoes. In that case, we will concentrate on the issue.``
``In fact, the issue concerns the European Union (EU). The reason of Turkey`s reviving the process is to prevent the Greek Cypriot side`s becoming a member of the EU unilaterally on behalf of the whole island. If the Greek Cypriot side says `no`` in the referendum, the EU`s approach to the TRNC will change,`` he added.
GUL: ``IF EU ACCEPTS GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE AS REPRESENTING WHOLE ISLAND, UNION WILL BE IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION``
When reminded of the statement of EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen who said that even if Greek Cypriot voted `no` to the Annan plan in referendum, it would represent whole island, Gul said, ``what is our first reason to resume negotiations and revive this issue? It is to prevent Greek Cypriot side from joining the EU by representing whole Cyprus in accordance with the decision which was taken earlier by the EU. If such an accession takes place, this accession will be very different and EU will be in a very difficult situation.``
Replying to another question, Gul said that there was a referendum process now and peoples on the island would say the last word. ``Everything is clear. Everything should be discussed clearly and evaluated with great responsibility and a decision should be taken accordingly,`` Gul noted.
When reminded of some news stories which said that if Greek Cypriot side voted `no` to the Annan plan in referendum, U.S. government would lift economic embargo imposed on north of the island, Gul said that those issues were not discussed yet and added that if it happened, there would not be any other choice except for lifting embargoes imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Gul stated, ``we will do our utmost for it till the very end.``
Asked whether or not TRNC President Rauf Denktas`s approval was received on property issue in negotiations in Swiss resort of Buergenstock, Gul said that TRNC officials made a new proposal on the issue and he asked them whether or not Denktas had information and approval on this proposal. Gul noted that Denktas who sent a message to Buergenstock said that the proposal was more positive than arrangements which were mentioned in the Annan plan.
Gul stated that Khan and he discussed bilateral relations and developments concerning Asia and also problems of Islam world.
Noting that Turkey and Bangladesh were candidates for Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretariat General, Gul said that they put forward arguments on the issue. He added that the two countries would continue to further improve friendly ties and relations no matter what the result would be.
Foreign Minister Khan of Bangladesh said that Turkey and Bangladesh were the two countries which had many similar points and stated that relations should be developed in every field.
Khan said that real Islam fought against terrorism.
Stating that they supported Turkey`s accession to the EU, Khan said that it would also be a development which would disprove clash of civilizations.
(AA) 09.04.2004