ISTANBUL - Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said on Saturday that legal right appeared for Turkey to start full membership negotiations with the European Union (EU), noting that, ''we have the right to call for a date. We should continue to call for a date till the end.''
Baykal responded to the questions of reporters after his visit to Sisli Mayor Mustafa Sarigul.
When asked how he evaluated the three-minute visit of force commanders to Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Baykal said they did not want artificial tensions to be experienced in Turkey, stressing that they did what they should do in time.
Baykal said, ''everybody understood the importance of not giving chance to statements which will distort Turkey's real agenda, and not to engage Turkey with artificial problems. I wish those to be understood before reaching this point. I said 'be careful' while I was conving my wishes for success. Let us not create unnecessary tensions. I hope everybody will evaluate the situation from the point that is reached.''
Baykal said they would continue their warnings at points where tendency for polarization appears.
When asked whether or not he would launch a new initiative to get a date to start consultations for EU full membership, Baykal said, ''it is obvious that legal right appeared for Turkey to start full membership negotiations. Turkey has the right to get a date from the EU to start full membership negotiation.''
Baykal stated that consultations were at a critical point on Cyprus and said, ''we should continue to expend support to President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).''
When asked what he thought regarded with the Cyprus decision issued from the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, Baykal said, ''NSC issued a decision supporting Denktas. This is right. Denktas has to be supported. Turkey calls for a peaceful solution on Cyprus. Mr. Denktas made important contributions on this issue. Turkey has to support realization of an agreement.''