Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-11-10

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 217/00 -- 10.11.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH SAYS NO DEVELOPMENT IN CYPRUS TALKS, ANNAN´S NON-PAPER UNACCEPTABLE.

[02] DENKTASH ASSESSES ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT.

[03] TALAT CALLS ON DENKTASH TO ATTEND CYPRUS´ ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS.

[04] REACTION IN THE TURKISH PRESS TO THE ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT.

[05] DENKTASH REACTS TO ANNAN IDEAS: NOTHING CAN BE ACHIEVEID THROUGH THESE PROPOSALS.

[06] TURKISH GOVERNMENT ISSUES DECLARATION ON EU ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT.

[07] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS TO EU ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT.

[08] TURKEY´S CEM: EU DOCUMENT ``OFFSIDE''.

[09] ANNAN `NON-PAPER´ ON SOLUTION OF CYPRUS PROBLEM.

[10] EU ENVOY: CYPRUS `NOT CONDITION, BUT PRIORITY´ FOR ACCESSION.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] DENKTASH SAYS NO DEVELOPMENT IN CYPRUS TALKS, ANNAN´S NON-PAPER

Denktash noted that Alvaro de Soto, Annan´s Special Envoy to Cyprus, accepted that there is a significant difference between the philosophies of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides in approaching the question.

``We have seen that there are significant differences between our philosophy and the philosophy of the Secretariat General. We expressed this opinion. We told them that we cannot accept this frame. We also said that if we accepted this frame, it would mean the Greek Cypriots´ returning to territory in the north and our accepting a principle by showing Loizidou case as an example. We would agree that the fact that all the Greek Cypriots are the owners would be taken up as a beginning. This is impossible. To this end, we are face to face with a big danger'', Denktash said.

Denktash stated that although the Turkish Cypriot side does not want communities to be discussed, the non-paper submitted by Annan mentioned communities.

``Our efficient participation to a joint Cyprus government is foreseen. Numerical equality is not foreseen'' Denktash said.

Denktash noted that thus, the 1960 agreement was re-produced and that they completely have different ideas.

Denktash continued, ``the changing security criteria are not taken into consideration. Our state´s giving a great deal of territory to the Greek Cypriot administration and besides the Greek Cypriots´ penetrating in our territory are foreseen. We believe that we will re-experience the disaster like the Palestine-Israel conflict within a few years if we accept this.''

``To this end, this process is coming to an end by this document. If they re-start a discussion of philosophy between the two sides and if they assist us in finding a joint philosophy, then we can re-evaluate the situation. But, it is not possible for us to reach any point by these proposals'', Denktash added.

Denktash claimed that Annan´s making a similar reference when Turkey´s European Union (EU) Accession Partnership Accord was announced was a synchronized initiative.

Denktash noted that the Secretary General´s submitting non-paper to the two sides and his attributing importance to Cyprus´ integration with the EU in this non-paper give the impression that this is a synchronized initiative held by the EU.

To this end, they consider this as an initiative exerted to corner the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey, Denktash said.

Denktash noted that he will decide whether or not to attend the sixth round of Cyprus proximity talks after discussing this issue with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer with whom he will meet during the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting, and with political parties in ``TRNC'', the pseudo-government, the so-called parliament, and with officials in Ankara. Sources said that Denktash, who was expected to meet with De Soto in UN headquarters on Thursday, did not meet with De Soto to show that he was angry about the leakage out of the non-paper to Greek Cypriot newspapers.

To this end, De Soto separately visited Denktash and President Glafcos Clerides, in the hotels where they were staying.

Denktash and his accompanying delegation will not hold contacts on Friday.

Denktash will depart from Geneva on Saturday to attend the OIC meeting that will be held in Qatar.

De Soto will visit Athens, Ankara and Cyprus in the end of November.

Meanwhile, Denktash released a statement to illegal Bayrak television channel through telephone stating that the non-paper submitted by Annan cannot be accepted and it does not coincide with the good will mission.

Denktash said that it is not a sensible thing to accept the frame of the non-paper.

``The Greek Cypriot immigrants will return to their houses. What will happen to my immigrants? They will be left homeless. They can depart from Cyprus if they do not want to be homeless. These are old thoughts that are not sensible. The approach regarding the ownership is totally wrong. The approach regarding security is invalid. The approach regarding territory can never be accepted. Thus, there is not a frame that we can accept. Everybody can see this'', Denktash said.

Denktash noted that De Soto said that Annan will submit this document together with the statement he made on September 12 to the Security Council.

Furthermore, NTV (8:00 hours, 10.11.00), in an announcer read report, said that the pseudostate has turned down Kofi Annan´s document because it is contrary to Turkish theses.

Denktash said:

``The non-document was contrary to the equality principle and it was engaged in playing with words. It contained loop holes as regards security, division of power and property''.

The Turkish side put the condition that in order to continue the talks changes should be introduced to the document.

Denktash said that whether he will continue the talks or not will be decided after evaluating the situation with Ankara.

[02] DENKTASH ASSESSES ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT

He also described the part that refers to the Cyprus issue as ``a kind of precondition''.

Further assessing the EU Accession Partnership Document, Denktash claimed:

``Turkey is being asked to support the approach of the UN Secretary General and to show zeal in order to conclude the procedure with success. Al right, but who will be the judge of this? Who is going to decide whether Turkey did or did not do her best? Turkey did a lot of sacrifices for reconciliation in Cyprus. But is there anybody who appreciates that?''

Reminding Kofi Annan´s statement that ``the two sides must solve the Cyprus problem and not Turkey'', Denktash said: ``But the insistence of any one of the two sides not to settle the Cyprus problem, regardless whether this is fair or not, in which way can it influence negatively the accession of Turkey to the EU? Will Turkey head for disaster over Cyprus? Or will Turkey force us to accept it?''

Denktash also claimed that the statement on Cyprus included in the EU Accession Partnership Document is a huge unjustice. ``This behaviour is spoiling the Greek Cypriots and drives them to be intransigent''.

[03] TALAT CALLS ON DENKTASH TO ATTEND CYPRUS´ ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat, who assessed the EU Accession Partnership Document for Turkey, said:

``According to the EU report, there is a strong probability that Cyprus will enter EU by the end of 2002. So the time period is getting narrowed. If an agreement cannot be reached in the Cyprus problem before that time comes, then Clerides will make an accession agreement with the EU. For this reason everyone, including Esteemed Denktash, must open their eyes. Esteemed Denktash must announce that he will participate in the EU accession negotiations before that moment comes. This can be made in away similar to the ongoing indirect talks under the auspices of the UN.''

Talat stressed that ``if this EU train is missed, then Clerides will sign an agreement with the EU and that will lead to very bad consequences for the Turkish Cypriots''.

[04] REACTION IN THE TURKISH PRESS TO THE ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT

HURRIYET (10.11.00) reports under the banner headlines ``The woman who scored the Cyprus Goal'' and shows the picture of Anna Diamantopoulou, Employment and Social Affairs EU Commissioner. HURRIYET reports that it was Diamantopoulou, who at the last moment managed to convince other delegates to accept to include Cyprus in the APD´s short term list.

Prior to the Turkish Council of Ministers´ meeting, State Minister Mehmet Kececiler, when asked to comment on the issue, said that Cyprus cannot be subject to bargaining, the paper.

In its turn TURKIYE (10.11.00) reports under the banner headlines ``No concession in Cyprus'' and with the subtitle ``Ankara reacted to the EU´s forceful demand''.

Kamran Inan, chairman of the Turkish Assembly´s Foreign Relations Committee said that it was impossible to accept the Document in its present form. He branded it as a one-sided document. ``Issues which should not have been included in this document, have been included'', Inan claimed.

True Path Party leader Tansu Ciller in her turn said that the Cyprus problem was hanging over Turkey like ``Damocles´sword''.

``Turkey cannot accept everything the EU says. Turkey should wage her struggle and become European''. She said that she had read the English text of the APD which says to Turkey `until 2001 solve the Cyprus problem´. ``If the text is really like this then the situation is really very grave'', Ciller said.

CUMHURIYET (10.11.00) reports that the leader of the Islamist Virtue Party, Recai Kutan, in his turn said that in the APD Cyprus was the most sensitive issue. He said `` The Cyprus problem is our most sensitive issue. The Cyprus problem did not start in 1974. The Cyprus problem should not be left to be solved in 2002. In the negotiations, the 1960 genocide should not be forgotten. Urgent measures should be taken and negotiations should start next year. This should be done not because the EU wants it but because of Turkey´s interests, because there is a possibility that South Cyprus will become an EU member. If we delay, there is a possibility that Cyprus could be lost'' Kutan concluded.

Denktash´s advisor Mumtaz Soysal in his column ``Angle'' in HURRIYET (10.11.00) implies that the EU is hatching ``plots'' against Turkey and expresses his opposition to becoming an EU member under these conditions.

[05] DENKTASH REACTS TO ANNAN IDEAS: NOTHING CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THESE

Denktash said that the series of ideas grants various rights to the communities under a strong unitary state, and if this is accepted the incidents experienced between Palestine and Israel will take place in Cyprus as well within a few years. Denktash explained that during his meetings with the secretary general he offered the initial reaction that the Turkish Cypriots cannot fit into this framework and nothing can be achieved through these proposals. Denktash said: This process has ended here.

Denktash noted that the fifth round talks have thus been concluded. The Turkish Cypriots will announce whether they will attend the sixth round talks proposed by the secretary general in Geneva in January after an assessment on the subject.

Furthermore, according to illegal Bayrak Radio 1 (1630 hours 09/11/00) Rauf Denktash has declared that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan drew a framework in line with the views of the Greek Cypriot side, and it is impossible for the Turkish Cypriot side to fit into this framework.

Speaking to NTV on the EU Accession Partnership Document which attaches a timetable to the Cyprus problem, Denktas said that Turkey pursues a policy that does not establish a link between the Cyprus issue and its EU accession, but the EU posited the Cyprus issue as a short-term condition for Turkey. Noting that Turkey is asked to apply pressure on the Turkish Cypriot side for the solution of the Cyprus issue, but nothing is said to Greece, Denktas said: ``They want Turkey to renounce its guarantor status, and they want us to once again mingle with the Greek Cypriots. In other words, they want to create a situation that takes us back to the pre-1974 period.''

Denktash remarked that Annan outlined his ideas in line with the views of the Greek Cypriot side at a time when the EU Accession Partnership Document was announced. This is being accomplished in an increasingly coordinated manner, Denktas stated. He claimed that ``expressing a view within the framework of the ideas submitted by Annan is tantamount to relinquishing the state, sovereignty, and the territories, and this is impossible''. Denktash further claimed that asking Turkey to force the Turkish Cypriots into the UN secretary general's framework by applying pressure on them is the same as asking Turkey to hand Cyprus over to the Greek Cypriots in three-five years.

In reply to a question, Denktas said that the views expressed by President Glafkos Clerides in a statement he made on 24 September in New Jersey appear in the secretary general's framework in their entirety. This framework was outlined with the aim of pleasing the Greek Cypriots, Denktash added. Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriot side must assess this together with Turkey.

[06] TURKISH GOVERNMENT ISSUES DECLARATION ON EU ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP

As is known, during the summit meeting held in Helsinki in December 1999, Turkey was accepted as an EU candidate country on an equal status with other candidate countries. As in the case of other candidate countries, the EU Commission announced the Accession Partnership Document for our country yesterday. The document puts forth a strategy that outlines in the form of medium- and short-term goals what Turkey must do in each field in order to align our country with EU regulations during the accession process.

As in the case of all the candidates, for Turkey, too, the Accession Partnership Document is a one-sided document prepared by the EU Commission. In actual fact, these documents are not texts discussed with the candidate countries. Nevertheless, EU Commission officials established contact with our government on various occasions before the announcement of the Accession Partnership Document drawn up for our country, and our views and sensitivities pertaining to the issues to be included in the document were conveyed to the commission officials at every opportunity.

It is observed that on many subjects the document remains loyal to the letter and spirit of the Helsinki summit communique. As it happens, the Accession Partnership Document confirms the elements of a political dialogue within the framework of Paragraphs 4 and 9 of the Helsinki summit decisions.

The Cyprus issue, which is included as one of the goals in the document, concerns first and foremost the two sides on the island. Turkey will continue to use as a basis the Helsinki summit decisions and the written common understanding reached with the EU in this connection. Turkey, which has always separated the Cyprus issue from its EU candidacy, will also evaluate the Accession Partnership Document announced yesterday in light of the principles mentioned above.

Our government, which aims at meeting the needs of the Turkish people in all fields and raising their standard of living, will continue to pursue the comprehensive reform work launched to this end in the political, economic, and social arenas. Turkey fulfills its commitments stemming from international agreements in the area of human rights. In the area of human rights, it is important for countries not to discriminate between its own citizens. In Turkey, the citizens' basic rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution and by laws.

It is further observed that the sections in the Accession Partnership Document pertaining to the further advancement of democratization and human rights in Turkey are to a significant extent in harmony with the Human Rights Coordination High Council report, which has been adopted as a reference and working document by our government. Turkey will continue to exert its efforts to this end within the scope of its activities regarding the national program.

Differences of views, interpretation, and priority on various subjects may emerge between Turkey and the EU during the accession process. It is important to continue the harmony between Turkey and EU on fundamental goals and principles, to prevent differences from turning into problems, and for the EU to objectively assess the progress registered by Turkey on the road to candidacy as well as the progress it will continue to register in the period ahead.

In this context, we expect the EU to exert efforts to further advance our relations. It is of utmost importance in our relations to preserve mutual trust, dialogue, and goodwill, and to fulfill mutual commitments. Important tasks fall on both sides in this regard.

During this process, for the Accession Partnership Document to become operational, we expect the EU to fulfill its commitments in the shortest possible time, and the EU Council to approve without delay the framework directive prepared by the EU Commission in this connection. Turkey is determined to undertake the efforts necessary to attain the full membership goal in the shortest possible time within the framework of the country's integrity and the republic's fundamental characteristics. We hope that this new and important phase we have reached in the EU accession process will be auspicious for our nation.''

Gurel then replied to correspondents' questions as follows:

``[Correspondent] There are differences between the EU Commission and Turkey with regard to the Cyprus issue. You outlined these differences of views. The Cyprus issue lacks a solution at present. When can Turkey become a full member? Do you believe that the Cyprus issue will not pose a problem?

[Gurel] We informed the EU side a long time ago that this does not pose a problem as far as we are concerned, that we do not establish a link between our EU accession process and the solution of the Cyprus issue. We do not intend to renounce this basic stand.

[Correspondent] What will the next move be in connection with Cyprus? You are saying that there is no change in our stance, but this matter is included in the short-term goals. What will Turkey do before the EU Council meeting? Will a special move be undertaken in connection with Cyprus?

[Gurel] There is no need for Turkey to undertake a special initiative with regard to Cyprus. Actually, the Cyprus issue is a matter that directly concerns the two sides on the island, namely the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot administration. If a solution acceptable to both sides is to be found to this problem, the two sides must exert efforts to this end together. Turkey has always been a side that supports such efforts.

[Correspondent] Are you going to request the omission of the remarks concerning Cyprus from the Accession Partnership Document? Will you undertake a move to this end?

[Gurel] I conveyed to you the results of the relevant assessment conducted by the Council of Ministers today. As you will appreciate, the matters triggering Turkey's sensitivity in the Accession Partnership Document and the reasons for this are very clear. As noted in the government declaration, this is a matter that will be relayed to the relevant sides.''

[07] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS TO EU ACCESSION PARTNERSHIP DOCUMENT

Releasing a statement about the Accession Partnership Accord which was submitted to Turkey by the EU Commission, the Foreign Ministry said, ``the observations contained in the Accession Partnership document concerning the Cyprus issue will be taken into account by Turkey to the extent that they are compatible with this basic attitude.''

The statement said, ``Turkey, in this context, will continue to consider itself to be committed only to the Helsinki European Council conclusions and the relevant correspondence and discussions between Turkey and the EU concerning the acceptance of these conclusions.''

It said, ``an important stage has been reached in the accession process of Turkey to the EU. The Accession Partnership Document has been made public today by the EU Commission. After the approval of the Accession Partnership by the European Council, Turkey will continue to advance in the accession negotiations process.''

``As is the case for all other candidate states, the Accession Partnership document for Turkey is prepared by the EU. It is thus a document under the responsibility of the EU,'' it said.

The statement noted, ``Accession Partnerships, prepared for each candidate state, encompass the priorities and objectives which are expected to be fulfilled in the accession process. These priorities and objectives are defined within the context of the principles, laws and the ``Copenhagen Criteria'' of the EU. In this connection, the Turkish Accession Partnership is based on the related sections of the 1999 Helsinki conclusions which define the Turkish candidacy.''

The Foreign Ministry statement said, ``Turkey will naturally give due consideration also to the views and evaluations of the EU while preparing its National Program. However, as has been underlined by our side during the consultations on the preparation of the Accession Partnership, the main framework of Turkey`s endeavours for harmonization with the Copenhagen political criteria is contained in the points listed below:

a) Harmonization will take place on the basis of the Turkish Constitution`s section on individual rights and freedoms. It is therefore clear that our approach is defined by the understanding of ``individuality of rights and freedoms'', the principle of ``equality of citizens'' in the Republic and the secular and unitary nature of our State, as laid down by the Turkish constitutional system.

b) These efforts will be made in the light of our government's declaration of September 21, 2000 on ``Priorities in the Democratization Process'', as well as the international agreements to which Turkey is a party.

c) In the work to be done so that the accession negotiations can start, we will naturally base ourselves on methods most appropriate for our priorities. Above all, most important for both Turkey and EU is to share the same goal and to work together for towards that goal.''

``The Accession Partnership is composed of the introductory section on ``objectives and principles'' and sections enumerating political and economic priorities to be reached in the ``short'' and ``medium term'','' it said.

The statement continued, ``the ``objectives and principles'' are based on the related parts of the 1999 Helsinki conclusions defining the Turkish candidacy. In this connection, components of the political dialogue are reaffirmed in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 9 (a) of the Helsinki Summit conclusions. It is obvious that the sections relating to the ``short'' and ``medium term'' priorities, as well as the contents of the Regular Report, prepared every year by the European Commission on Turkey, the last one having been published today, are valid only on the basis of the Helsinki Conclusions.''

It said, ``during the Accession Partnership consultations, it has been clearly mentioned to our counterparts that the whole context of the Accession Partnership should be evaluated within the following framework:

a) The press conference of our Prime Minister on December 10, 1999.

b) The letter dated December 10, 1999, being an integral part of the EU documents and addressed to our Prime Minister by the Prime Minister of Finland Mr. Lipponen, in his capacity as President of the Helsinki European Council Summit.

c) The statement made at the European Parliament by Mr. Lipponen on December 14, 1999, again in his capacity as the President of the European Council. d) The clarifications made to our Prime Minister by Mr. Solana and Mr. Verheugen on December 9, 1999 in Ankara.''

``Our Prime Minister in his written reply to Mr. Lipponen and in his press conference of December 10, 1999, had already pointed out that Turkey adheres to the Helsinki conclusions in the light of Mr. Lipponen's letter and statement, as well as the clarifications of Mr. Solana and Mr. Verheugen made in Ankara,'' the statement added.

[08] TURKEY'S CEM: EU DOCUMENT ``OFFSIDE''

Ismail Cem stressed that the inclusion of the Cyprus issue in the document in this way will not affect Turkey's Cyprus policy in any way. He added that the inclusion of the Cyprus issue in this way is legally lame and invalid, and that it will obstruct the Cyprus proximity talks process because it will encourage the Greek Cypriot side.

At an unofficial working meeting (8.11.00), Ismail Cem met with his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine. Cem later said that Vedrine told him he hoped the Armenian bill adopted by the French Senate would not affect the ties between Turkey and France. Cem told Vedrine: ``It will inevitably affect the ties. It is an extremely regrettable development.''

[09] ANNAN 'NON-PAPER' ON SOLUTION OF CYPRUS PROBLEM

The non-paper, which is not binding and which does not mention ``confederation or federation,'' states that a common state will be founded on the island. The document foresees open recognition of the political equality of the two sides in the common state and it also foresees the founder states ' having one sovereignty.

The non-paper referred to the statements of Annan as stated below:

Annan expresses pleasure over the fact that the essence of the issue is being discussed, adding that there is still a long way in front of us.

- Annan says they will do their best to ease the talks in addition to the statement he issued on September 12 which stressed the political equality of the two sides,

- The talks are held within the framework of the U.N. Security Council Resolution No. 1250 which permits the discussion of all issues which don`t include any preconditions on the table and which foresees the talks` taking into consideration all the resolutions of the U.N.

- Each side represents itself, one side does not represent the other side.

- The agreement which will be accepted has to have a calendar and mechanism and there should be a basic rule of this compromise. Besides, there should be an executive organ related to the common state; and the security arrangements, the territory regulations and the property regime have to be adopted.

- The comprehensive solution will be submitted to the referendum in each side on Cyprus and the changes in the solution can only be made by a referendum.

- Annan says they work on a common agreement text and they expect contributions from each side.

- Annan says they have refrained from using labels concerning the essence of the issue.

- A comprehensive solution should foresee a new partnership and the political equality of the two sides should be openly recognized by the solution.

- The new partnership should have only one international identity and a common and one sovereignty stemming from the founder states. The founder states can`t unite the whole of the island with Turkey and Greece and can`t separate the island from the common state. One side can`t oppress the other side. There should be only one citizenship of the common state and human rights and basic freedoms should be taken under guarantee.

- There should be a common government of a common state. There should be basic laws of the common state. Equality should be respected and this equality should not base on numerical equality.

- The founder states should have their own basic laws. One founder state shouldn`t intervene with the administration of the other state.

- The solution shouldn`t impede the membership to the European Union (EU). Special regulations have to be undertaken about the membership of Cyprus to the EU.

- International Law has to be taken into consideration regarding the issue of property. The basic rights of the individuals should be respected.

- Maximum number of Greek Cypriots should be settled in the territories foreseen to be given to the Greek Cypriot side. The least number of Turkish Cypriots should be forced to leave their homes during this arrangement.

- The security concerns of the two countries should be taken into consideration. The security system on the island in 1960 should be maintained. Equal number of Turkish and Greek soldiers should deploy on the island. The Turkish and Greek Cypriot armies should be dissolved. No arms should be permitted to arrive on the island.

- The U.N. Peace Keeping Force and the U.N. police should continue to exist on the island for a certain period of time.

Annan says they don`t want the two sides to respond to these suggestions immediately.

Annan stressed in the non-paper that he wanted the two leaders to come together in January in Geneva, adding Alvaro De Soto will go to Cyprus. Annan requested the two sides to help him.

He also said on Wednesday that ``he conveyed his general observations about method and essence of the problem regarded to certain issues, adding he wouldn`t tell them there. ``I requested the same things from the leaders.''

[10] EU ENVOY: CYPRUS 'NOT CONDITION, BUT PRIORITY' FOR ACCESSION

Fogg said that the Accession Partnership is an accord which brings together the strategies proposed by the Commission, which determines the short and medium term priorities, and discloses the financial support that will be provided by the EU. Fogg also said this document was a means of planning, and that it aimed at supporting the candidate country in the planned areas.

Pointing out that the accord formed a ``framework for the works'' which the candidate country in question should fulfil, Fogg recalled that this document was proposed by the Commission to EU Council, and that the Council approved it.

Fogg said formal approval of the document should not be expected soon, and noted that this was valid for all the candidate countries. She said that the approval of the document may be postponed till March.

Stressing that the elements in the Accession Partnership Accord were not ``condition, but priority,'' Fogg said this document did not give a list including what it wants from Turkey. Fogg stressed that conditions for the candidate countries were the same but the priorities were different.

When recalled the criticisms that Turkey's Accession Partnership Accord was broader than the others' when compared with the other candidate countries, Fogg said that ``this indicated that there are many things to be done.''

Responding to a question about the inclusion of Cyprus issue to the short term priorities of the Accord, Fogg said, a support within the framework of political dialogue for the solution of Cyprus issue is expected in the document, adding that the document supported the U.N.'s efforts.

Fogg said expressions regarded with Cyprus supported a process which is under implementation.

When recalled the statement of the Foreign Ministry that Turkey will itself determine the priorities in accession process to the EU, Fogg said that was not an extraordinary statement, and noted that it is possible that the candidate countries would like to protect their sovereignty.

Pointing out that there were different sides on Cyprus and that any country can not be expected to solve this problem, Fogg said the part concerning Cyprus, was not a condition, but a priority.

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