NEW YORK - Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday that Cyprus was no more a problem in Turkey's European Union (EU) process with the results of referendum held in Cyprus.
Babacan delivered a speech in luncheon held in his honor by American-Turkish Council (ATC) in New York.
Evaluating economic and political issues, Babacan said Cyprus had been a problem for 40 years and Turkey did its best for solution in Cyprus. He added that a rapid process has started after meeting of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, stating that Turkey has always said it wanted solution and supported Turkish Cypriots to vote ''yes'' in referendum, but unfortunately Turkey was disappointed with the votes of Greek Cypriot side against the plan, thus a solution could not be reached yet.
Recalling that Cyprus issue had always been brought to table in all meetings with the EU, Babacan said, ''Cyprus has always been brought to table as a problem, not a political criteria. However, after Turkey's efforts and the results of referendum, Cyprus will no more be a problem in our meetings with the EU. Cyprus issue is a problem between EU and Greek Cypriot side from now on.''
Stressing that the embargo imposed on TRNC should be reviewed, Babacan said that the embargo and sanctions which were imposed on TRNC would not be accepted as just after this stage. He added that the EU gave positive signals about this issue.
Referring to positive developments in economy, Babacan said that although 18 stand-by agreements have been signed between Turkey and International Monetary Fund (IMF) until now, the last stand-by agreement would be the first stand-by agreement which was completed in the history. He added that the state of relations with IMF would be determined in the middle of 2004.
(GC-AY) 27.04.2004