ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Thursday that he could not give a certain date about President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's designating a person to form the government and noted that it would be appropriate to wait till the oath taking ceremony at the parliament.
Ildem told a press conference that Sezer expressed pleasure that the election was held peacefully.
Sezer appreciated that the political parties that entered the parliament were in a joint effort about the European Union (EU) membership, Ildem said.
Ildem noted that Sezer would undertake his responsibilities about the EU membership.
Sezer would pay a visit to Germany on November 26-27 in this framework, Ildem stated.
Ildem pointed out that Sezer would hold bilateral contacts with the heads of state and government of EU member countries during the NATO Prague summit on November 20-22.
Upon a question, Ildem said that Sezer would use his authority under the Constitution when designating a person to form the government and that it would be a right thing to expect that he would be in consultation with the Justice and Development Party (AK Party).''
Ildem stressed that Cyprus question was a state policy and there was continuation in state policies, adding, ''officials of AK Party are also aware of this. It will not be right to make speculations.''
ILDEM: PRESIDENT SEZER APPRECIATES JOINT EFFORTS OF AK PARTY AND CHP ABOUT THE EU FULL MEMBERSHIP
Speaking at the weekly press conference at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, Ildem said, ''President Sezer was pleased with holding the general elections in a peaceful atmosphere. Our people put forward their free will in the general elections. It is certain that everyone will respect free will of our people.''
Ildem told reporters, ''President Sezer welcomes mutual respect and understanding, compromise and constructive approach put forward by the AK Party and the CHP.''
Ildem said that there were important internal and external issues on Turkey's agenda.
It would be useful to deal with those important issues with an understanding above the parties and with sensitivity, Ildem noted.
Ildem said, ''the president appreciates that the two political parties that will take place at parliament will be in a joint effort about EU membership process, which is an issue of priority, and in unity and solidarity without regarding any discrimination between the ruling and the opposition.''
Sezer also welcomed the decision of both of the parties to exert concerted efforts aiming to get a date for starting entry talks with the EU at the Copenhagen summit till the summit meeting, Ildem pointed out.
Ildem said that Sezer will continue to fulfill what is necessary for Turkey about that important subject and will support the efforts that are exerted in this critical period.
Noting that Sezer will visit Germany between November 26 and 27, Ildem said that the president will meet with German President Johannes Rau and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to evaluate bilateral relations in every aspect and to request the support of Germany in Turkey's efforts to access European Union (EU).
Ildem said that Sezer will also attend NATO Summit Meeting which will be held between November 20 and 22 in Prague, Czech Republic and he will hold bilateral contacts with the ministers and presidents of EU member countries during the meetings.
The cabinet headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit visited President Sezer yesterday and said farewell to Sezer, recalled Ildem and stressed that President Sezer thanked the members of the cabinet for their services.
''Elections are the most healthy way for determination of the nation's will in democracies. Political parties which are indispensable elements of democracy, are institutions which try to serve people by getting the trust and appreciation of the people. Mr. President sincerely wishes that the parties which could not get the result they wanted in the last elections should continue to contribute to the political life in line with the requirements of the pluralist democracy,'' he added.