Erdogan-Bush, Gul-Powell speak by phone on Cyprus

WASHINGTON (AA) – Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul spoke on Friday with US Secretary of State Colin Powell by phone. In addition, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also called for US President George W. Bush and they exchanged the views over the last development on the Cyprus issue.

An official from U.S. Department of State told A.A correspondent that Gul and Powell took up developments about solution efforts for Cyprus
question.

The official said that Gul and Powell would speak with eachother by phone again if necessary.

Erdogan informed Bush and he told him that Turkey’s stance had been continuing that it declared in Davos about the Cyprus issue.

Prime Ministry Press Center said in a statement that Erdogan thanked Bush for his hospitality during his visit to the United States and informed him about recent developments on Cyprus issue and sides exchanged views.

"Erdogan stressed that we assumed completely similar attitude which he expressed to the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in Davos and to Bush in Washington," noted the statement.

Bush, in return, thanked Erdogan for the information he gave and expressed the expectation and desire of the United States for finding a solution to Cyprus issue.

Meanwhile, an official from national security council of U.S. President Bush told A.A that Bush and Erdogan took up solution process of Cyprus question by phone.