ANKARA - Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Friday that the statement, which had been read out in the Parliament in 1995 and which the diplomatic sources described as ''casus belli'' was in fact a ''friendly statement'' that had not been turned into a decision.
Diplomatic sources interpreted the statement as Turkey may consider Greece's extending its territorial waters to 12 miles as 'casus belli'.
Stating that he has been in an effort to set up positive relations with the European, Mediterranean and neighboring countries since he has been elected as Parliament Speaker, Arinc said, ''Turkey wanted to strengthen its neighborhood and parliamentary relations.''
Arinc said a very positive relationship has been set up between Greece and Turkey, stressing that this should be an example to other countries.
Arinc said a statement had been read out in the Parliament on June 8th, 1995. ''This is expression of the reaction in Turkey regarding Greece's extending its territorial waters to 12 miles. A statement was prepared by all the group acting chairmen to stress this was unacceptable,'' he noted.
''This is a friendly statement. The then acting Parliament Speaker, while addressing the Parliamentary General Assembly, stated that, ''this is a friendly warning against Greece. I mean, 'don't do such actions. Let us solve this through peaceful and diplomatic ways. Turkey will take necessary measures in case diplomatic initiatives fail,'' Arinc emphasized.
Arinc said diplomatic sources said ''Casus Belli'' to this statement which was read out in the Parliament.
Pointing out that Greece felt uneasy over this, Arinc said Greece exerted efforts to keep the relations on a certain level.
Arinc said exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece continued since 1995.