ANKARA (AA) - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Wednesday that European Union (EU) assistance to Northern Cyprus should not be blocked off, stating that attitude of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) throughout the referendum process as regards to Annan Plan, was well known.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chancellor Schroeder held a joint press conference after their tete-a-tete meeting in Turkish capital of Ankara.
Schroeder said Turkish Cypriots was the party which was punished although they voted ``yes`` for the Annan Plan and noted that this is unfair.
Pointing out that an EU aid worth of 259 million Euro should be expended to TRNC, Schroeder recalled that a European Council decision was needed for this. Schroeder said views of Germany on this issue would be conveyed to everybody and emphasized that Europeans should invest in tourism business in TRNC.
-ALLEGATIONS OF SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE-
Schroeder said he appreciated Turkey`s proposal inviting Armenia to set up a committee of historians to research jointly the allegations of the so-called genocide and wished the proposal be accepted by Armenia.
Schroeder said the issue in essence was related to Turkey and Armenia, but expressed readiness of Germany to help solution of the problem.
-TURKEY`S EU PROCESS-
German Chancellor said there were commitments which the two parties should fulfill in Turkey`s EU process, adding that the EU should start the talks in time and urged Turkey to continue the reforms.
Schroeder said Turkey`s EU process has strategic and historical importance, and noted that referendums in European countries on the constitution were not related to this issue.
Underlining that implementation of the reforms in daily life was very important, Schroeder also said, ``reform process should turn into a social reality.`` Schroeder also urged Ankara Agreement Adjustment Protocol be signed before October 3rd.
-HEYBELIADA SEMINARY-
Asked if the situation of Heybeliada Seminary was discussed at the meeting, Schroeder said this issue required patience.
Noting that Turkey was an important country economically and politically, Schroeder said there were traditional relations between the two countries. He said necessary efforts were exerted to further improve these relations.
Asked about Germany`s sale of tanks to Turkey, Schroeder said this issue was under discussion between the defense ministries of the two countries.
-CLOSURE OF VAKIT NEWSPAPER IN GERMANY-
Replying to a question about closure of `Vakit` newspaper in Germany, Schroeder said he considered this ban as rightful. Schroeder said the decision was made by the German Interior Ministry noting all legal ways were open.
(AY-ULG)
2005-05-04