Turkish PM: Cyprus is not a Copenhagen criteria

DENIZLI (AA) – Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that there was not any criterion called as Cyprus in Copenhagen political criteria and stated that it should not be confounded with current implementations. He added that they would continue to assume their positive attitude which they assumed so far till May 1.

Erdogan and Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik held a joint press conference.

When a Norwegian reporter asked what kind of cooperation two countries would make in the Middle East, Erdogan said that there were many fields in which the two countries could make cooperation not only in the Middle East, but also in third countries. Erdogan said that there were joint cooperation fields in Caucasus and Iraq.

When another Norwegian reporter asked whether or not a cooperation in police training which would be made between security organizations of the two countries in the Middle East and Caucasus would contribute to Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU), Erdogan said that they did not have any thought that this cooperation would contribute Turkey’s accession to the Union.

When the same reporter said that there was an increase in crimes which were committed by police and asked how he evaluated this issue, Erdogan said, "it is an internal problem in Turkey. Turkey has overcome those things with adjustment laws. Those are very serious and positive developments. I think you cannot follow those kinds of developments as the way we do." When a reporter said, "Turkey’s EU membership was connected with Cyprus question in the progress report which was announced on Wednesday although it was also said that it was not a political criterion. You will go to Cyprus on November 15. What kind of a road map is foreseen for solution of the issue till May 1?" Erdogan said that Turkey was appreciated on adjustment laws in the report and stated that the government has started to take steps on implementation of those laws. He added that the government would develop and take those steps with determination till December 2004.

Stating that a link with Cyprus issue was tried to be established, Erdogan said, "we are in an effort to fulfil our commitments. Because there is not such a criterion in Copenhagen criteria, we should not confound our implementations with this issue. We continue to display our positive attitude. Besides, the EU countries know very clearly our thoughts and attitude on the issue. We will carry on our struggle in favor of a fair and lasting solution till the very end."