Turkey's Foreign Minister Says Opportunity Should Be Well-evaluated In Cyprus

ANKARA - The Turkish foreign minister said on Friday that the opportunity to solve Cyprus problem should be well-evaluated.
Turkey`s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that the opportunity seized in Cyprus by the ongoing comprehensive negotiation process should be well-evaluated.
"However, it is also important to conclude these negotiations in a reasonable period of time," Babacan told a joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart Maxime Verhagen in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
On Turkey`s full membership negotiations with the European Union (EU), Babacan said that Turkey would be ready for membership long before EU`s expectations and forecasts.
"Actually, we should ask when the EU will be ready for Turkey," Babacan said after he referred to several developments within the EU including rejection of the constitution agreement, Ireland`s rejecting the Treaty of Lisbon, and problems the EU was facing within its territories.
Babacan said that Turkey would fulfil its responsibilities earlier than the date the EU would be ready for Turkey.
"When the EU will be ready to admit Turkey as a member will definitely depend on political dynamics within the union," he also said.
Babacan said that the Netherlands was supporting Turkey`s EU membership bid.
Also, Verhagen welcomed resumption of Cyprus talks, and underlined importance of reaching a solution at the end of those negotiations.
Verhagen said that the problem should be settled within the framework of the United Nations (UN) and expressed his thought that it was not reasonable to intervene in negotiations right now.
The Dutch foreign minister said that any progress made in trade relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Ankara protocol could help a settlement.
Verhagen said that the Netherlands would be pleased to see Turkey as an EU member, and it was in Turkey`s hands to become a member of the union after it fulfilled required criteria.
The Netherlands was ready to support Turkey`s reform process, Verhagen said and underlined importance of implementation of reforms.
Verhagen said Turkey had a significant role for regional security, and told reporters that the EU and Turkey could join their forces to ensure stability in the Caucasus.
The Dutch minister also welcomed Turkey`s efforts in the Middle East.
In their tete-a-tete meeting, Babacan and Verhagen discussed bilateral relations, international matters like developments in the Caucasus and Middle East, Turkey`s EU membership bid and Cyprus problem.
(BRC-AÖ)
(DIP)