ANKARA - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yusuf Buluc said on Wednesday that they supported proposals of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas about Cyprus question.
Buluc, who held the weekly press briefing, responded to questions about the statement that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan made to a Greek television channel that they adopted Belgian model for solution of Cyprus question.
Noting that Cyprus had a special situation with its history and existing realities, Buluc said, ''the proposals that Denktas brought on the negotiation table on April 29 and September 11, 2002 foresaw a new partner state which had functionality'' and supported Denktas' proposals.
Buluc drew the attention that Erdogan made that statement under the title of AK Party leader and that the statement should be evaluated according to its context.
European Union (EU) authorities noted the statements of AK Party and Republican People's Party (CHP) about the EU process, Buluc stated.
Buluc said, ''it is a positive development. Following a membership target with determination reflects the general expectation of our nation. Besides the continuation of this process, initiatives to get a date to begin full membership negotiations can be accelerated in the following days.''
Responding to questions about the briefing that Secretary General for the EU Volkan Vural and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal gave to AK Party leader Erdogan, Buluc said that AK Party asked for a briefing. He added, ''using the time in the most efficient way is not only the hope of the Foreign Ministry but also the hope of all the political parties that will take part in the parliament.''
On a question about Erdogan's plan to pay his visit to Athens, Buluc said that the party would set its foreign policy priorities on its own. He noted, ''the issues we are dwelling upon are concerning the state policy. It is natural for us to expect a continuation about this issue.''
Buluc stated that two Greek representatives who would come to Ankara to make preparations for the Athens visit would not have contacts in the Foreign Ministry, adding that Foreign Ministry officials could also join this visit.