STRASBOURG - It was the Greek Cypriot administration who did not resolve the Cyprus problem, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.
Erdogan told a press conference that the Greek Cypriot administration did not help resolution of the Cyprus problem with its ''no vote'' to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Asked if Turkish government would launch an initiative to reunify Cyprus after its EU membership negotiations began, Erdogan said that Turkey's priority was to totally meet Copenhagen political criteria and Maastrich economic criteria, but it would launch any initiative in international platform when necessary, as it had done during negotiations aiming at settlement of Cyprus problem.
Erdogan said that Turkey had extended great support to April 24th simultaneous referenda held in Cyprus on the Annan plan.
Recalling that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) voted ''yes'' to the plan upon the desire of EU member countries and the UN, while the Greek Cypriot administration voted ''no'', Erdogan said, ''that is, north of the island said it was ready to co-exist in the island with the Greek Cypriot people. Because, they said, 'we are in favor of globalization of peace, democracy, human rights and rule of law.' But, TRNC is still subject to economic, commercial, cultural and international isolation.''
Erdogan stated that the Greek Cypriot administration, who voted against the Annan plan in the simultaneous referenda despite the demand of EU member countries, was admitted to the as a problematic full member.
Noting that EU acquis foresaw accession of countries to the EU after they had ended all their problems, Erdogan said, ''the most serious problem is the border problem. But, it (the Greek Cypriot administration) was admitted despite this. I hardly understand this situation and standards.''

-CRITERIA ALL COUNTRIES ARE SUBJECT TO ARE CERTAIN-
Answering another question, Erdogan said that the criteria to which all countries were subject when they wanted to join the EU were certain, and noted that those countries did not put forward different conditions for each country.
Erdogan said, ''if they assume an approach like 'we will suspend this process', it will be a disrespect to democratization process of a country, which has speeded up its efforts. And, it will be a backward step. And, in such a case, the EU will contradict its own principles.''
Stressing that there should be extraordinary situations like a coup in countries in order to suspend the negotiations, Erdogan said, ''it is not good to discuss such a suspension about a country which fulfills democracy.''
Asked when Turkey would become a EU member, Erdogan said that EU member countries would decide on this matter when Turkey fulfilled the principles, political criteria and Maastrich economic criteria and took all the steps required for membership.

-TURKEY'S ACCESSION WILL ENRICH EU-
Asked how Turkey planned to persuade Christian Democrats to support its membership, Erdogan said, ''what we should do now is to meet the necessary criteria. We are not joining a Christian club. We are joining the EU, where a whole of political values prevail. If the EU announces itself as a 'Christian club', let us know it. And, it can explain it neither today nor in the future.''
Erdogan continued, ''we are not here as representatives of countries defending conflict of civilizations. On the contrary, if we are to bring global peace to the world and eradicate terrorism in the world, we have to reach compromise among civilizations. And, Turkey's accession (to the EU) will contribute to this compromise.''
When a reporter recalled about assessments that Turkey could not join the EU before resolution of Cyprus problem, Erdogan said that all the EU members knew that Cyprus problem was not a criterion.
Erdogan noted, ''EU member countries told us (before April 24th simultaneous referenda) that Cyprus problem is not a political criterion, but they wanted our support for resolution. And, Turkish Cypriots voted 'yes' and showed their positive approach. It is the Greek Cypriot administration who did not resolve Cyprus problem. They did not help solution of the problem with their 'no vote' to Annan plan.''

-REFERENDUM IS OUT OF QUESTION-
Erdogan said that a referendum against Turkey's membership was out of question, and this was not valid for any country. Discussing such a move regarding Turkey was an unjust approach, he noted.
Erdogan said, ''this will harm motivation of a country. I believe our interlocutors will behave honestly. Otherwise, the EU, which is a union of civilizations, will be unsuccessful at the end of this process.''
Asked if he was uneasy that the Commission did not propose a date to open negotiations with Turkey, Erdogan said, ''no, I am not. Turkey will be a full member when it fulfils all of its responsibilities.''
(BRC-MS) 06.10.2004