ANKARA - Everybody should know that Turkey considered Cyprus a national cause, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.
Prior to his departure for Japan for an official visit, Erdogan called on all citizens to be beside his government in Cyprus issue.
Erdogan said that he had announced views and policy of his government in the meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) last week.
''We are expressing our views on this issue. I call on all my citizens to back our government in its efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to interests of not only Turkey but also Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) instead of behaving emotionally. And, everybody should know that we consider Cyprus a national cause. But, this national cause is not an issue built over insolubility. It is an issue built on solution. We are exerting efforts for settlement of the issue,'' Erdogan added.
Delegations from TRNC, Greek Cypriot side, Turkey and Greece held Cyprus negotiations in Buergenstock, Switzerland from March 24 to 31 in order to contribute to a settlement in the island.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis also joined the negotiations as of March 29.
United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan presented his final plan to the parties on March 31.
The final plan will be put to separate simultaneous referenda in Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides in the island on April 24.
TURKISH PRIME MINISTER LEAVES FOR JAPAN
Erdogan was accompanied by his wife Emine Erdogan, Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan, Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag and Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu, businessmen and journalists.
Erdogan told reporters that he would pay a working visit to Japan with a delegation comprised of ministers, representatives of public institutions, businessmen and journalists.
Erdogan said that this was the first visit paid in the level of prime ministers from Turkey to Japan since 1995.
Japan was a country with which Turkey had had friendly relations since the 19th century, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey and Japan shared same democratic ideals and modern goals today and had similar approaches to international issues.
That similarity laid a suitable groundwork for further improvement of political, economic and cultural relations, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that he would meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito, Prince Mikasa, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, President of the House of Councilors of Japan Hiroyuki Kurata, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Yohei Kono.
He would discuss ways to further improve cooperation between two countries and exchange views with Japanese officials about daily regional and international issues and problems, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that two countries had the potential to make economic cooperation and had the opportunity to make investments in third countries.
Turkish government hoped that more Japanese companies would invest in Turkey, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan stated that he would have the opportunity to meet with Japanese businessmen and inform them about opportunities in Turkey.
He would have the opportunity to go to Aici and visit Toyota facilities which aimed to increase its investments in Turkey, Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that he would launch initiatives to increase number of Japanese tourists visiting Turkey during his visit.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan expressed belief that his visit would speed up Turkish-Japanese relations.
(BRC) 11.04.2004