ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday that Turkey also foresees a solution in Cyprus, adding Turkey is not a country which regards insolubility as a solution.
''But this solution should be satisfiying mutually,'' Gul told reporters after seeing Denktas off at Ataturk Airport.
Gul said that Denktas went through a very important surgery and he was fine now.
''We talked with Denktas about the recent developments. We discussed the developments about EU, the recent step taken by U.N. Secretary General Annan about Cyprus, the responses of sides to him. We will be in close contact from now on. Our attitude is very clear, we are not a country which regards insolubility as a solution. We also foresee a solution in Cyprus, but this solution should be satisfying for both sides,'' Gul said.
''We have told EU officials that EU should ease the solution of the Cyprus problem, it should not make it difficult. Cyprus can only join the EU within the scope of a new partnership agreement. This new partnership which has two states and sovereignty is a new concept. Certainly we are positive about a solution on the island. The letters which Mr. Denktas wrote to U.N. Secretary General are all positive letters. We are ready to discussion, negotiation and finding a solution. We don't have any differences of opinion about these issues with TRNC President Rauf Denktas,'' Gul said.
Gul said that a solution will be easier after EU gives the date which Turkey deserves at Copenhagen summit, adding he hopes the EU leaders to give correct decisions at Copenhagen summit.
''We hope they give specific date to Turkey for accession talks as this will ease solution of many problems in the region and also in Turkey-EU relations,'' he said. Responding to questions of journalists at Ataturk Airport about EU membership of Turkey and Cyprus issue, Gul said that ''EU leaders should deal with the issue with a very strategical approach. They should not be after insignificant interests. The date which Turkey deserves has to be given to Turkey. Nothing should be left hanging on the air. Turkey did its mission, it fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria. The reform packages adopted by the parliament in August is very significant. In addition, we transferred two separate packages to the parliament. We will launch efforts to adopt them before December 12. Our political resolution is very clear.''
Stressing that Turkey fulfilled more conditions than some other countries when compared with ten candidate countries, Gul said that ''if an injustice is made to Turkey despite these facts, this can't be accepted. Turkey wants to become EU member very much, if an injustice is made aginst Turkey, we can lose this enthusiasm. If Turkey joins the EU, not only Turkey will be beneficial, but also EU will get advantages.''
''What will satisfy us will be EU's giving a specific date. AK Party leader and I will go to Copenhagen. We will try to do our best until the last minute. I believe that both Turkey and the EU has to assess this historic moment in the best way,'' Gul said.
''What will be your attitude if Cyprus joins the EU on December 12?'' asked journalists to Gul who said that ''EU has to help in solution of the problem in Cyprus. It should not make the problem more chronic, they know this very well.''