BRUSSELS (AA) - Turkish diplomatic sources expressed on Friday disappointment with the draft resolution prepared yesterday (Thursday) by EU leaders, although they considered the clear negotiation date with full membership perspective as positive.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had expressed the displeasure of Turkish delegation during his meeting with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands, the European Union (EU) Acting President, earlier today (Friday).
Sources quoted Erdogan as saying in his meeting with Balkenende that it was not possible to accept EU's expectations about Cyprus issue as reflected in the draft text, and noting that the United Nations (UN) should take the initiative regarding this matter.
The same sources said that Erdogan told his Dutch counterpart, ''you have preferred a country of 600,000 population over Turkey with its 70 million population. I am sorry. This means that you have not listened to what we have told you so far.''
On the other hand, PM Erdogan met Balkenende again early on Friday morning to express the views of Turkish delegation regarding the draft resolution expected to be made public at noon.
A compromise could not be reached between Turkish delegation and the EU Acting Presidency on the draft resolution due to the statements regarding Cyprus issue.
Turkey conveyed its views on the final draft to the EU Acting Presidency till this morning. Sources say that counter proposals of Ankara, which notes that the draft is ''unacceptable'' in its current shape, cover some nuances regarding Cyprus issue.
(BRC-A֩
2004-12-17