Gul: There Is No Disagreement With E.U.

Turkish Press
June 29 2005

SANAA – Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul
said on Tuesday that there was no disagreement with the European Union
(EU).

Gul is currently in Yemeni capital Sanaa to attend the Organization
of Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ Conference.

When reminded of different comments on negotiation frame document
that was planned to be made public on Wednesday, Gul noted that a
meeting was held with the experts the previous day, adding that it
was a very good one.

“The Copenhagen political criteria have been fulfilled. Political
criteria were the conditions for beginning of membership
negotiations. A decision was made (by EU) to start entry talks with
Turkey, since we fulfilled them,” he stressed.

Gul noted, “it is obvious that negotiations will continue on some
other issues. These matters are not easy, because they are about a
transformation of a country. We know that it will take a long time.”

“Our task is to deepen and develop our democracy. That’s why we
should not expect another political thing from now on,” he stressed.

Stating that there was no need for EU to tell Turkey that it should
have good relations with its neighbors, Gul noted, “we have
already thought about these matters. We extend great efforts on
these matters.”

Gul stressed that Turkey wanted to undertake important roles for an
agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Asked if he was planning to go on a tour of EU countries to explain
the issues he has mentioned, Gul said, “any disagreement is out of
question. We have already spoken about them. We have talked about these
with the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and others. You know,
I was in Brussels last week. There is no hesitation.”

Gul said, “of course various articles can be written, and politicians
may express their different views. We will not be influenced by
them. We know what we will do. We will continue to progress on
our path.”

“I HAVE TALKED TO KHARRAZI”

Replying to another question, Gul said he had the opportunity to talk
to Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi today.

Asked about the expectations about the new period following the
elections in Iran, Gul said it was obvious that a new period would
start in Iran after the elections.

Gul said, “Iran is our neighbor and a friendly country. We want to
enhance our friendship and cooperation,” and noted that this would
be beneficial to the region.

Gul said issue of nuclear weapons was not discussed during his talk
with Kharrazi, and noted that, “our thesis on this issue is clear.
>>From the very beginning, I have been saying that nuclear energy
should only be used through peaceful means. We do not want to see
weapons of mass destruction in our region.”