ATHENS - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that Greek Cypriot side entered the EU in a controversial way.
Gul, who evaluated his contacts in Athens to the Turkish journalists, pointed out that Turkey exerted efforts to provide a lasting peace, and that those efforts would continue.
Stating that the peace should be just an acceptable to be lasting, Gul said he conveyed this issue during the contacts, and that he stated that Turkey's efforts in this respect would continue.
When asked whether or not he hesitated to visit Athens where Greek Cypriot side would sign accession agreement, Gul recalled that he participated in European Conference meeting, stating that, ''Turkey's insistence for EU is clear. Our EU process can not be disrupted.'' Gul pointed out that Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side for the first time did not take place in the same photograph.
Responding to a question about Annan plan, Gul said, ''the important thing is to provide lasting peace. If Annan plan can help this, it can be evaluated.''
When asked about visit of Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis to Greek Cypriot side, Gul said this visit was normal as Greece is EU Term President. Gul said the parties from TRNC, which is a democratic country, may respond favorably to the invitation under the information of their government.
GUL: TURKEY WILL NOT ALLOW GROUPS' TAKING ADVANTAGE IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Responding a question about recent statements of Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani, Gul said, ''everyone should pay careful attention to settlement of order in Iraq as soon as possible. An order should be settled in which all elements in Iraq will be represented, by protecting territorial integrity of Iraq. If groups try to become dominant over the other, it will lead to instability.''
Describing Turkey as the greatest country in the region, Gul said, ''Turkey will maintain its sensitivity about the region in the future. Turkey will not allow groups' taking advantage in northern Iraq. The whole world appreciated Turkey's calm and careful attitude about northern Iraq.''
Noting that they attributed great importance to treatment of the injured people in Turkey, Gul said, ''it is extremely difficult to bring the injured people by highway. However, planes cannot land at airports in Iraq yet.''
Responding a question about news stories claiming that the United States requested Turkey to send soldiers for the multi-national force to be deployed in Iraq, Gul said, ''we have not received such a request yet. If such a request is made, we will assess it.''
Recalling that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell had called him on the phone two days ago, Gul said, ''during our telephone conversation, Powell did not make any request to send soldiers.''
''Mr. Powell talked about the positive atmosphere in Washington D.C. after his visit to Ankara. He expressed their satisfaction over Turkey's efforts to send humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, I conveyed Turkey's sensitivity about Mosul and Kirkuk,'' he added.
(UK-AY) 17.04.2003