F.M. Gul Says Greek Cypriots' Attitude Doesn't Change

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday that there was no written document which was given by Greek Cypriots to Turkey or TRNC about the amendments which they (Greek Cypriots) wanted to see in Annan Plan.
     There was no change in the attitude of the Greek Cypriot side, said Gul.
     Foreign Minister Gul left for Vienna, Austria the same day to have bilateral meetings and attend a forum on the future of the EU.
     Responding to questions of journalists about the meeting held with TRNC officials in Ankara (Thursday), Gul said that Mehmet Ali Talat visited Ankara for the first time after being elected TRNC President. Gul said that they reviewed everything about Cyprus issue once again.
     Gul stressed that they had the opportunity to have a comprehensive evaluation after the meetings of UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast on the island and prior to their meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in the United States.
     When reminded about Greek Cypriots' proposals of amendments to Annan Plan, Gul said that there was no written or definite proposal presented to Turkey or TRNC.
     Gul said that Greek Cypriots reiterated the things they told before the referendum (held in Cyprus on Annan Plan) adding that ''they don't object to any article, they have totally different views which concern general issues.''
    
     -GUL'S VISIT TO AUSTRIA-
    
     Referring to his visit to Austria, Gul said that he would meet Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and Austrian President Heinz Fischer (Friday) and attend a forum regarding the future of EU (Saturday).
     Noting that Austria would take over the EU presidency from Britain in the beginning of 2006, Gul said that the trade volume between Turkey and Austria exceeded 1 billion USD; 200,000 Turks lived in Austria, and that Austria was an important country for Turkey.
     (֓-MS)
2005-06-03