ANKARA - The United Nations (U.N.) and the European Union (EU) had to take the steps to lift embargoes imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after the recent developments in the island, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) at the parliament, Gul said that everything had not ended after Saturday's simultaneous referenda held in Cyprus.
Gul noted, ''if both sides in Cyprus had voted ''yes'' to the (U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's) plan (for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem), the issue would not have been over. Then, some other problems would have occurred but we would have continued our path. At this stage, the issue is not over, there are other problems in front of us.''
Turkish Cypriot side had expressed its will that it was in favor of a solution, however, the Greek Cypriot side opposed to the plan, Gul stated.
Gul said, ''now, the international community, particularly the U.N., EU and all other actors in the world should appreciate positive vote of the Turkish Cypriot side and honor Turkish Cypriots. We expect the entire world to behave so. But, we can't reach anywhere saying that Turkey and the Turkish government expect this and ask the entire world to keep its promises. This is another kind of heroism. What should be done is to work day and night again. We have to strengthen this rationalistic and strategic advantage. In fact, this is what our government is doing.''
Foreign ministers of EU member countries held a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, Gul recalled.
Gul said that he told EU member countries to carry out concrete projects instead of only preparing projects on paper.
Turkish Foreign Minister Gul defined the Cyprus resolution taken by the EU General Affairs Council on Monday as a ''very good resolution.''
Gul said that Turkey would work to prevent that resolution from remaining on paper.
Expressing belief that inhumane embargoes on TRNC would be lifted as soon as possible, Gul stressed that it was not possible to explain the embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriots in these days.
Gul said, ''these embargoes can't continue from now on. The U.N. and EU have to and will take steps to lift these embargoes.''
He saw an unbelievable sympathy towards Turkey and TRNC in his meetings, Gul stated.
Gul recalled that the EU had decided to extend financial assistance to TRNC.
The EU decided to grant 265 million Euro to TRNC which was foreseen to be released in case two sides in Cyprus voted ''yes'' to Annan plan in order to upgrade TRNC's economy to the level of Greek Cypriot economy, Gul pointed out.
Gul said that there were many things to be done from now on and they would carefully monitor the developments.
Turkish Foreign Minister Gul added, ''yes, we have reached these days thanks to carefully followed policies. We will not start to lose anything when we start saying we are winning. Therefore, we are carefully working day and night.''
TRNC and Greek Cypriot side voted U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in simultaneous referenda held on April 24.
Sixty-five percent of Turkish Cypriots voted ''yes'' to the Annan plan while 35.09 percent voted against the plan in the simultaneous referenda. A total of 75.83 percent of the Greek Cypriots said ''no'' to the plan while 24.17 of them voted ''yes.''
The rate of participation in the referendum was 84.35 in TRNC and 96.53 percent in the Greek Cypriot side.
(BRC-AY) 27.04.2004