ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that they had received text of the additional protocol of the Ankara Agreement between Turkey and the EU related to the extension of customs union to include the new member states.
Holding a joint news conference together with Argentine Minister of Foreign Relations, International Trade & Worship Rafael Bielsa, who is currently in Ankara on an official visit, Gul said that they had received text of the additional protocol at the weekend.
Gul told reporters that Turkey would fulfil its commitments including signing of the protocol.
''New members states will undertake the agreements signed by the EU with the non-EU member countries. The EU signed the Customs Union with Turkey, and it should be valid for new members of the EU. Actually, it came into effect on May 1st, 2004. It means that circulation of commercial goods is free between Turkey and all EU-member countries. It is also valid for the Greek Cypriot side.''
Recalling that negotiations about the text were held in Brussels last week, Gul said that they reached an agreement over the text.
''We asked the EU to send the text to us. We will examine the text, and check whether it is same with the one we have. Then, the process about the additional protocol will start,'' he said.
Gul noted that Turkey's signing the protocol could coincide with Britain's handing over the rotating EU presidency, adding that Turkey would fulfil its commitments.
''We will carry out the requirements of the international law. Turkey's signing the protocol will not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot side. For the time being, Greek Cypriot people are able to come to Turkey by completing necessary visa proceedings at airports. If movement of people is free, then circulation of commercial goods should also be free anyway. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was recognized by Turkey, and this situation will continue. The Turkish Ambassador will continue staying in the TRNC. There is not any change. As Turkey, we reiterate our call to the United Nations to find a lasting solution and to make the whole region a center of cooperation. We hope that lasting solution will be reached on the island under the leadership of the United Nations. Then, the parties on the island will take mutual steps. Recognition is totally out of question before a lasting solution. All legal measures have been taken to this end,'' Gul added.