COPENHAGEN - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said on Sunday that there are certain issues that make Turkey uneasy among the new proposals brought onto agenda within the scope of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP).
Gurel who came to Copenhagen to attend the EU Term President Denmark's meeting with EU candidate countries on Monday, talked to the Turkish press about the recent developments in European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP).
Gurel said that the Ankara Text prepared with Britain and the U.S. about ESDP is valid, adding that there are certain issues which make Turkey uneasy in the new ESDP document.
Gurel said that Turkey will particularly oppose the Greek Cypriot side's automatic use of NATO capabilities and ask for regulation in this issue. A formula can be prepared to prevent the automatic use of NATO capabilities by countries which will newly become EU members and which are not members of NATO, Gurel said.
Following the EU summit held in Brussels, EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Defense Javier Solana said that new proposals about ESDP would be conveyed to Ankara and EU expected tolerance from Ankara in this issue. This issue is expected to come to agenda once again during the meetings to be held on Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister Gurel reiterated the Foreign Ministry's view that the Cyprus issue and Turkey's EU membership issue are different issues for Turkey.