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.