ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that constructive approach that Turkish government followed on Cyprus issue brought prestige and advantages to Turkey.
Gul, who attended a panel discussion on new horizons in Turkish foreign policy in Turkish commercial hub Istanbul, noted that many advantages were obtained on Cyprus issue, but a full solution could not been reached. Stating that Turkish side had gained much in Cyprus issue, Gul stated, ''concrete results will be seen in a very short time.''
Noting that democratic mechanisms also had influence on formation of Turkey's foreign policy, he said that those mechanisms were also functioning on Cyprus issue.
Gul said that there was a problem on ''how Cyprus issue would be solved'' on the agenda about three months ago and stated that this problem became an obstacle as a political reality in Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU).
Gul noted that today, Cyprus issue was no more an obstacle on Turkey's path and noted that they had to show whole world that Turkey fulfilled all political criteria.
Stating that there were still one or two legal arrangements left and those arrangements would be completed within one or two weeks, Gul said that they had to put into practice those laws, as those laws would bring prestige to Turkey.
The EU is expected to decide on whether or not to open entry talks with Turkey in its summit to be held in December 2004.
(EÖ-BRC) 22.05.2004