ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that as the Annan Plan was rejected, article on Turkey's withdrawal of its troops from the island was rejected as well.
Holding a news conference, Gul said that Turkey resurrected a plan which was considered to be dead and added that Turkish government exerted extraordinary efforts for solution.
Upon a question on withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, Gul said, ''according to Annan Plan withdrawal of troops was in question. Thus, as it was rejected, withdrawal of troops is rejected as well.''
Asked whether resignation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas was necessary, Gul said that it was a domestic matter of the TRNC and he did not want to intervene.
Asked whether it was possible to say Annan Plan had died, Gul said that the answer of this question had already been given by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as he had said if one of the sides voted against the plan, then the plan would die. Gul said that the important point was that majority of Greek Cypriots had voted ''no''.
Asked whether a second referendum could be held, Gul said that Annan had also answered this question and said if one of the sides voted ''no'', then this issue would be closed.
Noting that British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw had telephoned him, Gul said that they evaluated the situation and then he requested the ''things which should be done''.
Gul said regarding the European Union (EU) membership of Greek Cypriot side that he did not believe this membership would be a problem for Turkey's dialogue with the EU. Recalling that Turkish side voted ''yes'' in the referendum and they had earlier said Cyprus issue was not a condition for Turkey's EU membership, Gul said, ''so I do not believe Greek Cypriot state will create a problem for Turkey.''
Noting that TRNC could not be left isolated in economic and political aspects after it fulfilled its responsibilities, Gul said that it was both Turkey's and TRNC's right to expect lifting of this isolation.
Noting, ''we did not write this plan, Annan wrote it,'' Gul said that a new legal situation had emerged.
Upon another question, Gul said, ''Greek Cypriots can no more claim that they are representing Turkish Cypriot side and the whole island, they can represent only themselves.'' He added that people could exert efforts for solution again from now on, but it was necessary to take realities into consideration while doing it.
Asked whether they were invited to the ceremony on May 1 during which Greek Cypriot side would access EU and who would participate in this ceremony, Gul said that they were invited and added, ''you will see who will go there.''
Gul said that they did not receive an assurance from any country about recognition of TRNC.
(GC-MS) 24.04.2004
ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that as the Annan Plan was rejected, article on Turkey's withdrawal of its troops from the island was rejected as well.
Holding a news conference, Gul said that Turkey resurrected a plan which was considered to be dead and added that Turkish government exerted extraordinary efforts for solution.
Upon a question on withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island, Gul said, ''according to Annan Plan withdrawal of troops was in question. Thus, as it was rejected, withdrawal of troops is rejected as well.''
Asked whether resignation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas was necessary, Gul said that it was a domestic matter of the TRNC and he did not want to intervene.
Asked whether it was possible to say Annan Plan had died, Gul said that the answer of this question had already been given by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan as he had said if one of the sides voted against the plan, then the plan would die. Gul said that the important point was that majority of Greek Cypriots had voted ''no''.
Asked whether a second referendum could be held, Gul said that Annan had also answered this question and said if one of the sides voted ''no'', then this issue would be closed.
Noting that British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw had telephoned him, Gul said that they evaluated the situation and then he requested the ''things which should be done''.
Gul said regarding the European Union (EU) membership of Greek Cypriot side that he did not believe this membership would be a problem for Turkey's dialogue with the EU. Recalling that Turkish side voted ''yes'' in the referendum and they had earlier said Cyprus issue was not a condition for Turkey's EU membership, Gul said, ''so I do not believe Greek Cypriot state will create a problem for Turkey.''
Noting that TRNC could not be left isolated in economic and political aspects after it fulfilled its responsibilities, Gul said that it was both Turkey's and TRNC's right to expect lifting of this isolation.
Noting, ''we did not write this plan, Annan wrote it,'' Gul said that a new legal situation had emerged.
Upon another question, Gul said, ''Greek Cypriots can no more claim that they are representing Turkish Cypriot side and the whole island, they can represent only themselves.'' He added that people could exert efforts for solution again from now on, but it was necessary to take realities into consideration while doing it.
Asked whether they were invited to the ceremony on May 1 during which Greek Cypriot side would access EU and who would participate in this ceremony, Gul said that they were invited and added, ''you will see who will go there.''
Gul said that they did not receive an assurance from any country about recognition of TRNC.
(GC-MS) 24.04.2004