Turkish foreign minister returns from “fruitful” EU meeting

Anatolia news agency
26 Apr 05

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul who attended Turkey-EU
Association Council meeting in Luxembourg returned to Turkey on
Tuesday [26 April].

Gul told reporters at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport that his meetings in
Luxembourg were very fruitful.

Gul said: “We revised mutual responsibilities during Association
Council meeting and expressed our expectations. We also exchanged
views on the ways of solving problems.”

“Prior to Association Council meeting, I met EU officials and we
discussed Cyprus and Iraq issues as well as various foreign political
issues. I expressed my views about them during the council meeting as
well,” said Gul.

“Turkey has recorded great progress in terms of fulfilling the
political criteria. Reform process will be pursued in a determined
manner. Besides new laws and arrangements, we also attach importance
to implementation of these laws,” he added.

Gul noted: “During the meeting, I conveyed Turkey’s expectations about
many issues particularly the Cyprus issue. We discussed financial
matters and problems regarding Customs Union. Issues about Customs
Union will be taken up during meetings in technical level.”

Gul said: “Understanding between Turkey and the EU on the Adjustment
Protocol was once again confirmed in the meeting.”

Upon a question, Gul said: “The process about the protocol within the
EU is expected to be completed by June. EU should firstly finish
domestic procedures and then invite Turkey. We fulfilled our
responsibilities on a large scale and if the EU does the same, the
protocol process will continue in a healthy way.”

Upon another question, Gul confirmed that Armenian President [Robert]
Kocharyan replied to the letter of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan. Gul added that the reply of Kocharyan will be examined
carefully and a statement will be released later.