BRUSSELS - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said on Tuesday that the attitude of the European Union (EU) towards Cyprus question was wrong.
Gurel told ''Anadolu'' magazine, which was published in Belgium for the Turks living there, that the Greek Cypriot administration was encouraged by a series of ''imaginary solutions.''
''It should never be forgotten that Cyprus question is an issue between the two peoples having two separate national identities. Turkish society in Cyprus has been a target for the first ethnic cleansing in Europe as of the end of 1963. Two peoples in the island cannot co-exist since those days. Then, Cyprus Peace Operation which increased confidence of Turkish Cypriot people and which ensured a secure geographical ground was staged in 1974. If the Greek Cypriot administration and those who direct international community had not ignored basic realities about Cyprus question those days, a ground through which the two societies in the island could co-exist could have been established again,'' Gurel said.
Gurel noted, ''but, this was not possible because the realities were not evaluated. Now, the attitude of the EU makes a solution difficult, an in fact, it makes a solution impossible. The EU is encouraging the Greek Cypriot administration with unrealistic and imaginary so-called solutions which do not have any validity. If those who are looking at the issue from outside and intervening in the issue from outside do not make a realistic evaluation in this current situation, the issue will continue in its current course.''
When it was noted that his approach towards the EU was ''harsh'', Gurel said, ''we should immediately stress this. Unfortunately, the EU has become a side in Cyprus question and Turkish-Greek relations. Unless it leaves this position and unless this position is re-evaluated, it can not help a solution to Cyprus question. To this end, the EU has to review its attitude first of all. As I have said before, progress in negotiations on Cyprus mainly depends on act of the EU ghost, whether or not it withdraws from the negotiation table.''
Asked if there were steps that Turkey could take related with Cyprus question, Gurel said, ''steps that Turkey can take are certain: A solution to Cyprus question is not connected with Turkey's EU membership. However, Cyprus' EU membership is directly linked with Turkey's EU membership. That is, facilitation of a solution to Cyprus question by Turkish Cypriot people or Turkey's representatives should and cannot have any positive or negative role in Turkey's EU membership process.''
''However, Cyprus cannot become a member of the EU even after finding a solution. Therefore, Turkey should act in line with its fundamental policy, and should not give any impression that can cause misunderstandings and disappointments later. Turkey's attitude is clear, and everyone should be well-informed on the issue,'' he said.
When asked of his expectations from the EU's summit meeting to be held in Copenhagen in December, Gurel said, ''first of all, the EU should clarify its expectations from Turkey. We should take all steps to fulfill the political criteria. However, we should take these steps not to satisfy the EU, but to reach the standards of the modern world. It seems that there has been a serious disagreement among the EU member countries in common agriculture policy. Also, there may be a tremor in the EU's perspective due to political changes in some member countries. Can the EU complete its enlargement process? Can it start the enlargement process as of 2003-2004? Even these issues are suspicious. The most important thing for Turkey is to carry out its preparatory work for the EU membership. As the government, we have the will to carry out these work. However, if the EU tries to connect Turkey's membership with some other issues like the Cyprus question, we consider it a sign of the EU's bad intentions. We hope that we would not face with such bad intentions. Turkey's proving itself to be ready for the EU full membership is not enough. Also the EU should prove its readiness for Turkey. The EU should give a clear perspective to Turkey.''
''The attitude of the EU about the Cyprus question does not make any contribution to the direct talks process aiming at finding a solution. The Greek Cypriot side's joining the EU will be a violation of the international agreements. Such a development will hamper peace and stability in the region, and damage the balances. Cyprus cannot become a member of the EU without approval of Turkey. It a policy of the state,'' he added.
In an interview with the Anadolu Magazine published in Belgium, Gurel said, ''the government has developed a main policy about Turkish people living abroad. We do not want our people to live an incommunicative and isolated life. Turkish people living abroad should become individuals making the most indispensable contribution to the society of that country. They should participate in political, cultural, and economic activities of those societies. They should both reach an harmony with that society and protect their own identities. We are responsible for helping them in this process. Therefore, we aim at creating an integration.''
''Integration does not mean assimilation. We are determined to do our utmost to teach our children Turkish language and Turkish culture. We attribute great importance to education. Because, education plays a key role for Turkish people living abroad to become an indispensable individual of that society,'' he said.
Gurel touched on the importance of participation of Turks living abroad in the political life of those countries and said, ''of course, our people have to efficiently take part in all activities in the society they are living. They should join politics and show their power and existence. If you ask me, our people living abroad have two political duties. Firstly, they have to carry out political activities in the society they are living and thus, they can contribute to themselves, the society they are living in, and also to Turkey. The second, they should affect political process in Turkey. This is the duty of all our people.''
''As Turkey, we have always hoped that our citizens can have the right to free movement in the EU and whole world. The Foreign Ministry has been exerting efforts to provide visa facilities and even exemptions to Turkish citizens,'' Gurel stated.
Gurel noted that there was a firm approach in the EU related with visa issues and this understanding would be strengthened as probable tendencies like xenophobia and racism in the EU increased and had strong reflection on political life.
The EU could implement such a strong visa to Turkish citizens because of the effect of such political tension, Gurel stated.
Gurel said that unfortunately, the same tendency was seen in EU candidate countries.
''Changing this course and providing Turkish people comfortable and free movement possibilities in Europe is one of our main targets. However, it is not possible to say if we can achieve our target due to this understanding,'' he added.