YASHAR BAKISH: WE WILL NOT CHANGE OUR POSITION ON ARMENIA AND CYPRUS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 30 2007

Former Foreign Minister of Turkey, parliamentarian Yashar Yakish
interviewed by APA’s Turkey bureau

– Your party Justice and Development Party (AKP) won the elections.

What can you say about the prospects of EU-Turkey relations as an
experienced diplomat, former Foreign Minister and chairman of the
previous parliament’s European Union Commission?

– The government’s winning strong support will be very useful for
Turkey-European Union relations from two aspects. Firstly, like
in other spheres the government’s policy regarding European Union
was approved by the people. Secondly the government winning great
support will demonstrate stronger position in the future debates. Our
government will be able to pass courageous decisions. We drew a road
map on the basis of our potential but not EU expectations in April.

We know what activities we will carry out by April, 2013. After that
we will carry out all necessary reforms in the framework of Copenhagen
criteria ignoring Sarcozy and Merkel’s statements. Since the issues
like Armenia and Cyprus are not included in Copenhagen criteria we
will not be able to change our position.

– AKP’s winning the elections strengthened Turkey’s role in the
region. Is it possible that Turkey’s position regarding Armenia
will tighten?

– Turkey will be stronger. Our government’s policy on both internal
and regional issues is obvious. We will continue pursuing this policy.

– We observe that Turkey suffers from PKK terror by North Iraqi
origin. They say Turkey will tighten its policy concerning this
issue. What can you say about it?

– We are concerned about the ongoing processes in the north of Iraq.

But we negotiate with Baghdad, not with northern Iraq. Prime Minister
of Iraq Maliki will visit Turkey next week. We want peaceful solution
to all our problems with Iraq. Military solution to the problem is
the last step for us. We are strengthening our battle readiness. We
have a number of building companies in the north of Iraq. Karkuk is
quite another problem. We want the referendum there to be postponed.

PKK terror is one of the main problems there. If Iraqi government can
not solve this problem, everybody knows that we will use all means
to ensure our security.