Yakis: There Is No Development That Can Be Described As Change In Cyprus Policy

ANKARA - Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said on Friday that there was no development that could be described as a change in Cyprus policy of Turkey.
Responding to a question motion of CHP deputy Nezir Buyukcengiz, Yakis clarified the statements of Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yusuf Buluc who said that there could be change in Turkey's Cyprus policy. Yakis said that Turkey always supported a just and permanent solution in Cyprus.
Yakis said that there was no change in the target of formation of a new partnership in Cyprus which will maintain the existing peaceful atmosphere in Cyprus, the effective and active guarantee of Turkey in Cyprus, the balance between Turkey and Greece, which will accept the sovereign equality of both sides and which will be based on compromise.
Yakis said that Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yusuf Buluc said in the news briefing on January 8, 2003 that the attitude and policies pursued in Cyprus were carried out in consultation and cooperation with TRNC President Rauf Denktas. ''The Spokesman said that the Turkish side brought onto agenda our demand for changes that need to be made in Annan plan within the scope of our main policy and that these were regulations that could be in question in every active negotiation process,'' he said.
Yakis said that there was no development that could be described as ''change of policy'' in Cyprus issue apart from that, adding that Turkey supported the negotiation process that was carried out for finding a permanent solution in Cyprus and the efforts of Denktas. Yakis said that this issue was confirmed once again during the press conference held on January 15, 2003, adding ''the statements of the Spokesman constitute the clear determination that pursues our attitude in Cyprus negotiation process.''
(ÖS-AÖ) 28.02.2003