ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that Turkey would not content with capabilities other than that of the authorities given to the European Union (EU) members.
When asked a question, ''if there is a new proposal from the EU to Turkey other than full membership, what will Turkey's stance be? A membership date was given to Greek Cypriot administration in 2004. What do you think to do'', Ecevit said, ''Turkey will not content with capabilities other than that of the authorities given to the EU members. Even, it will not open this issue into discussion. It is not an acceptable behaviour to try to console us by made-up solutions.''
Touching on Cyprus question, Ecevit said, ''unless Cyprus reality is accepted, a solution satisfying the two sides in the island cannot be found. There is not a single nation in Cyprus. This is the Cyprus reality according to me. There are two nations, two states, two languages and two religions. Trying to unite two different societies is not an acceptable behaviour.''
Two peoples living in Czechoslovakia decided to separate and they separated from each other, Ecevit noted.
Ecevit stated that the EU did not have any objection to that separation.
Noting that there was more reasons in Cyprus which required such a separation when compared to Czech and Slovenian republics, Ecevit said, ''moreover, existence of a separate republic in north of Cyprus is important for not only security of Turkish Cypriots but also for Turkey's security.''
When he was asked about the views of Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz that ''let's set a common policy towards the EU. Let's continue the efforts without any change whoever comes to the power'', Ecevit said, ''there is national unity about EU membership in Turkey except some small problems. We will not give up our right. This is out of question.''
When reporters said, ''you had noted that limits were exceeded in Northern Iraq'' and asked if that meant that Turkey could intervene in Northern Iraq, Ecevit said, ''there is not any need for such an intervention, but we are still sensitive about projects to found a Kurdish state there. And this sensitivity will continue. It is out of question for Turkey to adopt a model contrary to our national sensitivities in Northern Iraq.''
Upon a question, ''you had drawn attention to Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and People's Democracy Party (HADEP) issues when election decision was taken. You said that the EU had similar concerns in the sentence that took place in the progress report. Can you detail this?'' Ecevit said that there were not any Muslim countries in the EU. To this end, some circles should be expected to have concerns if an anti-secular government came to power in Turkey, Ecevit added.