AYDIN - Turkish State Minister Guldal Aksit has said that Cyprus and the European Union (EU) were the two main problems that their government had faced so far, and their stance on both issues was very clear.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent during a visit to Aydin province on Saturday, Aksit said, ''stance of the parliament and government on the Cyprus issue is very clear. Cyprus is an issue which could not be solved for years. However, a determination has been displayed against this issue. We have never had an intention of leaving aside the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). We have clearly put forward that Turkey is in favor of a definite solution, and Turkey is not the side that creates insolubility.''
''Later the EU issue was on the agenda. IF we had taken those steps in 1970s, we would have already accessed the EU and there would not have been obstacles in front of us like the Copenhagen criteria and Cyprus issue. I hope that we would get a date in December 2004 because we have been advancing on our path, displaying will and determination, and the world sees it,'' Aksit added.
(MS-UK) 05.06.2004