We will not take place in Cyprus game

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that if there would be a postponement of the April 24th Cyprus referenda to after May 1 Turkey wouldn’t take place in this process.

Greece Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Georges Kumuchakos also announced earlier today that Greece has no intention to seek a postponement of the referenda. Kumuchakos added that Athens will respect what ever outcome is reached between the other parties in regards to postponing the referenda.

Reporters asked Gul what he thought about statement of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan who said, "referenda can be postponed after May 1 if the sides accept it". Gul said that Turkey had launched initiatives at the United Nations, European Union and other mediators through Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. Noting that compromise should continue till the end, Gul said, "postponement of referendum after May 1 means start of everything from the very beginning. We don’t accept it. We conveyed our opinion to all of them."

Asked whether there was a tension as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had announced he would not listen to speech of TRNC President Rauf Denktas in the parliament, Gul said, "they held a meeting earlier. I suppose that what he is going to say here is not more important than what he told him. Any tension is out of question. Everything is clear. Turkey and Turkish Cypriots can never have such an opportunity again. It is the optimum point for everybody. Also Greek Cypriots should consider it in this way."

"We are loyal to compromise that is reached at the end of agreement. Don’t worry about it. Also they should be loyal too. It is not the best for us. Independent state is the best thing for us. However, this agreement turns eastern Mediterranean part of Europe into center of attraction. Greek Cypriots should be aware of it. Otherwise, they remain."

When a reporter said, "maybe they are aware of it so they say ‘no’ to the plan", Gul said, "tell this to our people who say ‘no’, letting them to think about it."

Asked about General Staff Chief Gen. Hilmi Ozkok’s statements, Gul said that there were still misperceptions in Turkey. "Anybody is not still aware of the fact that Turkey is a country which states it is ready for negotiations with the European Union." Gul described Ozkok’s speech as a "noteworthy manner".

Noting that there were still some people who wanted to see a different Turkey, Gul added, "we say that we will start holding entry talks at the end of this year. And it means that democratic maturity has reached a specific point."