Gul will ask Britain to “exert its influence” on the Cyprus problem

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.11.11) reports that the Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said that during his official contacts in London he would ask Britain, which is a guarantor power in Cyprus, to “exert its influence” in the direction of the solution of the Cyprus problem.

In statements at Esenboga Airport before departing for London, Gul said he was visiting the UK upon an invitation by Queen Elisabeth II, and added that he would be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the second Chief of the General Staff General Hulusi Akar, MPs, academicians and journalists.

Gul said he was proud of holding the first visit at presidential level from Turkey to Britain after 23 years. He said he would, inter alia, meet with the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband.

Gul noted that he would address representatives of parties in the British Parliament and hold a meeting with MPs, including members of the Group of the Friends of Turkey. He added that he would also give interviews to the Guardian newspaper and the BBC.

Referring to the content of his contacts, Gul said he would discuss all the aspects of their relations with Britain and touch upon regional and international issues which are on their joint agenda and mainly the EU and Cyprus. He added: “On this occasion, I will express our satisfaction with the stance of Britain, which exerts strong and visible support to our accession into the EU, and stress the importance we attach to the continuation of Britain’s strong support so that the accession talks are not interrupted because of artificial political obstacles. I will demand from Britain, which is a side in the Cyprus problem, to exert its influence as guarantor power in the direction of the solution”.