Gul: Today's Council Of Ministers Meeting Was The Last Meeting Of 58th Government

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that Council of Ministers meeting, which had taken place today, was the last meeting of the 58th government.
Gul spoke to reporters at Justice and Development Party (AK Party) headquarters.
Responding to a question when he would resign, Gul said, ''you will see in the coming days.''
PRIME MINISTER GUL THANKS MINISTERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul thanked on Monday ministers for their efforts so far during the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis replied to questions of reporters following the meeting of the Council of Ministers which lasted for almost an hour.
Yakis said that Gul thanked the ministers for their efforts so far and that the 58th government had held 15 meetings since it was formed.
Asked when the new government would be formed, Yakis said that Gul did not want to mention any date.
Yakis noted that there were procedures to be fulfilled before the formation of the government.
They did not discuss the motion about deployment of foreign troops during their meeting, Yakis said and added that government continued negotiations on the issue.
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, government spokesman Abdullatif Sener said that Monday's Council of Ministers was probably the last meeting of the 58th government.
Following the meeting of Council of Ministers, Sener told reporters that they did not think there was need to change laws, performances and 2003 year consolidated budget submitted during the term in office of the 58th government.
Sener said that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) formed a government on its own with a strong majority in line with the will of the nation following the November 3 general elections.
The government which was led by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul won the vote of confidence on November 28, 2002, Sener noted.
Sener pointed out that they reviewed the performances of the 58th government during their meeting.
Sener said European Union (EU) process, Cyprus and the possible action of the United States against Iraq were in the essential agenda of the government, and stressed that, ''the 58th government carried out those processes successfully at a time when the most important periods of the Republican history were experienced. It has taken successful decisions. The government carried out the negotiation processes seriously. The economy administration carried out successful studies. The 2003 year consolidated budget had been presented to the Parliament by this government.''
Sener said Prime Minister Abdullah Gul would hold a news conference at 10.00 local time on Tuesday morning to brief about the performance of the 58th government.
Sener said, ''the coming process has been revealed with Siirt elections,'' stating that, ''it has been shown by the Siirt elections that the kind regard which the AK Party obtained by the nation, increased.''
Stressing that AK Party would continue with the 59th Government in the coming period, Sener said, ''as we pass to this new period, there is not any need for any changes in the laws, performances and 2003 consolidated budget presented to the parliament.''
Asked if motion on deployment of foreign troops in Turkey and dispatch of Turkish troops abroad would be taken up by the new government, Sener said that they did not discuss the motion during their meeting.
When a reporter said, ''World Bank President had harsh criticisms on the 2003 year budget. He said that 1.3 billion U.S. dollars of loan could be endangered. How can you overcome this,'' Sener said, ''your point of view is important. There can be different evaluations according to different points of views on the foreign economic policies and performances of the government. But, if we have to talk openly, the government has followed a successful course in its economic policies as in the other issues in a period when economic conditions are really severe and economic balances are sensitive.''
Sener noted, ''our prime minister will make statements about the performances of the government.''
Asked whether economic problems could be faced if there was a problem with the 1.3 billion U.S. dollars of loan, Sener said, ''economy is on the right track at the moment and economic balances have been established. The following process is a process when our economy will be better unless any deficiencies occur.''
When asked if his statement meant that there would not be any change in the budget, Sener said that the budget was submitted to the parliament and discussions continued.
Sener noted that the legislative process belonged to the parliament in that process.
The current government, prime minister and ministers continued to fulfil their duties responsibly, Sener stated.
Sener pointed out that the new cabinet would fulfil its duties with the same responsibility.
Asked if Abdullah Gul would take place in the new cabinet, Sener said that the article 109 of the Constitution was clear.
Sener noted that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan would announce the new Council of Ministers in the following days and present the list to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for approval.
It was Erdogan's appreciation, Sener stated.
Sener said that what was important is to fulfil duties responsibly instead of being a minister.

(BRC-AÖ) 10.03.2003