Gul Pleased With Visit To Be Paid By U.S. Congress Delegation To Northern Cyprus

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul expressed pleasure over the visit to be paid by a U.S. Congress delegation to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Monday.
     Gul left for Bahrain on Sunday upon formal invitation of Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Muhammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.
     Prior to his departure replying to a question on U.S. Congress members' visit to TRNC, Gul noted that this visit was very important, stressing that both Turkey and also TRNC assumed a compromising attitude over Cyprus issue.
     ''Unfortunately, the other side (the Greek Cypriot side) did not meet initiatives (of Turkey and TRNC). We are pleased that international circles observed these developments and took positive steps,'' he stated.
     Replying to another question, Gul said that they learnt yesterday that Turkish-Japanese consortium won the tender of automated light metro network in Dubai, stating that the agreement on the tender was signed this morning.
     Stating that Yapi Construction won this tender in Dubai where there was a great competition, Gul indicated that it was a very important development.
     Gul said that the consortium would construct and also operate the metro network for 10 years.
     Foreign Minister Gul said that the government was following such important tenders, adding, ''Turkish government will always support businessmen.''

2005-05-29