EU Is Biggest Project Of Turkey, Ambassador

LONDON - Turkey`s Ambassador to Britain Yigit Alpogan said Friday EU membership is the biggest project of Turkey.
"Turkey hopes to open negotiations with the Union on two or three chapters during Slovenia`s presidency," Alpogan told a meeting at the Foreign Press Association (FPA) in British capital of London.
On Cyprus problem, Alpogan said two leaders in the island will meet next week to find a solution and qualified the meeting as a good development.
"We need to wait and see the result," he told.
Alpogan said a negotiation process in the island should be carried out under the umbrella of the UN and with the support of the EU.
"We may be hopeful about a solution in a short time if there is political will in both sides in the island and if Turkey and Greece support the solution," he told.
Alpogan said a settlement should be based on equality of the two communities in Cyprus.

-TURKEY AND ITS RELATIONS WITH GREECE-
On the other hand, Alpogan said Turkey pursues "zero problem" policy in its relations with its neighbors.
"However, some problems emerge with Greece from time to time. Despite this, we exert great efforts to improve our bilateral relations," he told.
On the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Alpogan said the patriarchate is a Turkish institution under the guarantee of the Lausanne Treaty and functions within the legal guarantee of Turkey.
Alpogan said Turkey maintains its efforts to solve the issue regarding the seminary in Heybeliada.

-IRAQ-
On Iraq, Alpogan said Turkey attaches importance to Iraq`s security, stability and territorial integrity.
"Turkey is in dialogue with all groups in Iraq, and it keeps all channels of dialogue open," he told.
Alpogan said Turkish-Iraqi economic relations continue to increase, and told that Turkey meets electricity need of north of Iraq.
"A Turkish consulate is working in Mosul, and Turkey thinks of opening another consulate in Basra," he told.
Alpogan said Turkey will continue to do everything in its power to help Iraq.

-CROSS-BORDER OPERATION-
Also commenting on Turkey`s cross-border operation into north of Iraq, Alpogan said every one has to oppose to international terrorism but support fight against terrorism.
"PKK has been defined as a terrorist organization by EU, USA, UN, Britain and many other countries," he told the gathering.
Alpogan said Turkey targeted at the terrorist organization PKK in this operation, and returned after it accomplished the mission.
"Turkey attributes importance to its own territorial integrity, and has no eye on the territorial integrity of others," he told.
Alpogan said Turkey may stage such operations in the future if it sees PKK presence and activity in the region again.
On Kirkuk, Alpogan said Kirkuk should continue to be a part of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious Iraq. "Otherwise, Kirkuk`s balances will be deteriorated," he warned.
Alpogan said Turkey therefore supported the decision to postpone a referendum on the future of Kirkuk.
"Turkey has no intention about Kirkuk, and neither should nobody else. Kirkuk should continue to be a part of Iraq with its special status, and every one should respect it."

-TURKEY, A DEMOCRATIC AND SECULAR COUNTRY-
Meanwhile, Alpogan said secular and democratic regime based on rule of law is very strong in Turkey. "I see no threat against this regime," he also said.
(BRC)