Turkish Press
March 15 2005

Gul: Negotiations With The E.U. Will Be A Test For Turkey’s
Resistance And Patience

LONDON – Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
Gul said on Monday that the entry negotiations with the European
Union (EU) would be a test for Turkey’s resistance and patience,
adding, ”I believe that Turkey will pass this test successfully.”

Speaking at a conference at the London School of Economics, Gul, who
is currently paying a four-day official visit to Britain, said, ”we
are determined to further improve our bilateral relations with
Britain.”

Referring to Turkey-the EU relations, Gul said, ”Turkey and the EU
have created a synergy in economy and politics. As a result, Turkey
became an attractive country for European investors. Recently,
diplomatic consultations between Turkey and the EU have increased.
Turkey and the EU have also succeeded in creating a joint power to
overcome problems such as fundamentalism, racism and anti-Semitism.
After the EU decided to open entry talks with Turkey on October 3rd,
the Turkish government has given priority to the negotiation process
with the EU. Therefore, our reforms will continue rapidly.”

”We are aware of that the negotiation process will not be easy. The
negotiation process will be a test for Turkey’s resistance and
patience. I believe that Turkey will pass this test successfully,”
he said.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Gul said, ”both Turkey and the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have extended full support
to a solution in the island. Turkey’s only target is to protect
rights and security of the Turkish Cypriots. As you know, Turkish
Cypriot people supported United Nations Secretary General Kofi
Annan’s plan in the referendum on April 24th. However, embargoes and
isolation imposed on them have still been continuing.”

”Turkey also holds consultations with Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Georgia with the aim of providing peace in southern Caucasus. After
Israel withdraws from Gaza, international community will have to
expend more efforts to resolve the economic problems and the issue of
security in the region,” he said.

Upon a question about Turkey-the United States relations, Gul said
that the relations had been progressing on the right track.

Replying to another question, Gul said, ”there is not any problem
about signing of the protocol about the Customs Union. However,
Turkey’s signing the protocol will not mean recognition of the Greek
Cypriot side. There are two separate states and two separate nations
on the island.”

Upon a question about the events during a demonstration in Istanbul
marking the International Women’s Day, Gul said, ”we do not approve
such events. We have launched an investigation into them. Such events
can be experienced anywhere in the world. Turkey has made the
necessary reforms, however, it will take time to remove the problems
in implementation.”

When asked what would happen if the EU Constitution was rejected in
referendums in France and the other countries, Gul said, ”it may
lead to a crisis both in the EU and in those countries. Such a crisis
can normally affect Turkey.”