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ANKARA: Gul In Moscow

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  • ANKARA: Gul In Moscow

    Gul In Moscow

    There Have Been Worrying Developments In Palestine

    Anadolu Agency
    5/20/2004

    MOSCOW - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
    Gul has said there had recently been worrying developments in
    Palestine, adding, "incidents there have been developing in a way
    that worries whole world."

    Following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in
    Moscow where he had arrived under his meetings with the Middle East
    Quartet (formed by European Union, United Nations, Russia and United
    States) on the issue of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
    Ministers Delegation's Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Gul answered
    Turkish reporters' questions.

    Noting that OIC's meeting with Russia was occurring during an important
    period, Gul said that important incidents had happened in Palestine
    especially in last few weeks and in last few days.

    "These are really worrying incidents and they have been developing in
    a way that worries the whole region and the world. The latest policy
    of Israel was condemned by the UN Security Council yesterday," he said.

    Stating that OIC wanted the problem to end peacefully, Gul said,
    "as the Middle East Quartet said in its statements the day before,
    both sides should act under framework of the road map. Israel should
    stop use of force against civilians and innocent people, besides it the
    policy of destroying homes should end. Any attempt that would split the
    sides by building wall should be prevented and it should withdraw from
    the territories it occupied under the UN Security Council resolutions."

    Noting that also Israel's security and safety in the region should
    be provided, Gul said, "these are important issues. I am here to talk
    about these issues. With this respect I want to say that there will be
    a session on Iraq issue in the Turkish parliament on next Tuesday. I
    am thinking of directly bringing also the issues related to Palestine
    and Middle East problem."

    Gul said that he had expressed his opinions about Cyprus to UN
    Security Council permanent representative Russia and they had discussed
    bilateral economic and political issues under his meetings in Moscow.

    Stating that he had asked Lavrov to immediately lift economic embargo
    on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), immediately start
    direct flights to the TRNC and remove obstacles that prevent vessels
    carrying tourists and cargo from stopping by the TRNC, Gul said that
    there would be concrete developments in line with the report that UN
    Secretary General Kofi Annan would present to the UN Security Council.

    Stating that Russia requested observer status in the OIC but there was
    not such a status, Gul said that OIC's regulations would be reviewed
    at meeting in Istanbul and studies would start on granting Russia
    such a status.

    Replying to a question about Russia's stance towards the Cyprus issue,
    Gul said, "it is real that relations between Turkey and Russia have
    been improving. Mr. President Putin proved it with multi-dimensional
    partnership. Everything should enhance properly and appropriately to
    this, of course."

    "While all relations are enhancing and getting deeper, common
    opinions should emerge on regional issues and other problems and
    Russia should review its policies, of course. Undoubtedly, these are
    our expectations. However, we have to hold close consultations to
    make these happen. We have to explain our issues in detail. We have
    to clearly put forward our reasons. And it is what I am doing today,"
    he said.

    Stating that Lavrov had clearly told him that they supported lifting of
    embargoes, establishment of commercial relations and lifting economic
    isolation of the Turkish Cypriot side, which was the right thing,
    Gul said, "they say that efforts could be exerted for a solution
    in the future and everything should happen under the UN framework
    and Annan's plan should be taken as the basis. However, they say it
    would be right to lift economic isolation. They clearly said that
    they would not create any obstacle in front of Russian companies'
    relations with the Turkish Cypriot side."

    Replying to a question, Gul said that opening of Turkish-Armenian
    border could be possible only after Armenia withdrew from the
    territories it occupied.

    Asked about the Armenian President's decision on not participating in
    the NATO summit in Istanbul, Gul said, "it is a NATO meeting. Armenia
    has a representation in Istanbul under the Black Sea Economic
    Cooperation Organization. Should Armenia close it, too? I suppose
    that it was a statement that targeted domestic politics."

    Asked whether Turkey had "plan B" in case the EU would not set a date
    for opening of accession talks at its summit in December, Gul said,
    "we don't have such a plan. We all think of opening of negotiations
    in December."

    "Besides, decision on opening of negotiations with Turkey was made
    in 2002. At that summit, the decision was made and it was said that
    negotiations with Turkey would immediately start in December of 2004
    if it fulfilled political criteria," Gul added.
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