ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul asked British Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jack Straw to take action to end isolation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), sources said on Monday.
Sources said that Gul called on Britain to start direct flights to TRNC as soon as possible, and noted that Britain should take concrete steps immediately.
Straw said that both the European Union (EU) and Britain seriously worked to meet expectations of the Turkish side after April 24th simultaneous referenda in Cyprus.
TRNC had accepted United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem while the Greek Cypriot side rejected it in the separate simultaneous referenda.
Straw noted that he and Gul discussed starting direct flights from Britain to TRNC, but nobody should expect every move to be made immediately since it was an ongoing process.
British Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Straw said that he was impressed with reforms of Turkey and progress Turkey had made on road to EU membership.
Straw pointed out that release of former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies was an impressing and significant development, and said that he would work for a positive report on the progress made by Turkey on the road to EU.
The report is expected to be unveiled in October.
Sources said that two foreign ministers discussed Iraq in their meeting. Gul once more informed Straw about Turkey's Iraq policy. Noting that Turkey was trying to contribute to peace, stability and security in Iraq, Gul said that there were serious threats against security in the region.
Gul stated that Kirkuk should have a special status, expressed Turkey's sensitivity about the matter and warned that Kirkuk could be a place which could increase clashes in the region.
Straw said that they expected Turkey's contributions to Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) while Gul noted that Turkey voiced its preference about a place in Afghanistan, but this preference was not accepted.
Gul said that Turkey's efforts would not be helpful in the places where it was foreseen to take responsibility in Afghanistan. Both ministers agreed that the matter could be reconsidered.
(BRC-AÖ) 28.06.2004