Brussels, 28/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - Turkish justice minister Cemil Cicek said on 27 December that he hoped new negotiations over Cyprus could start under the aegis of the United Nations, based on the Annan Plan, and the issue would be resolved by 3 October (the date scheduled for Turkey's accession talks to begin).
On 24 December, in a speech to the nation reported by AFP, Turkish prime minister Erdogan urged Turks not to lose their sang froid because the path to concluding the 41 journey (since the 1963 EEC-Turkey Association Agreement) would be difficult and obstacles would be encountered. On some issues, said Erdogan, agreement may be found in a time frame exceeding our expectations, adding that Turkey did not want to join the EU as a burden, but to share the EU's burden. The day before, Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul, told Presidents of parliamentary committees that turkey was entering a process of complete transformation, a total change of mentality, rules and standards. A big change is already scheduled for 1 January 2005, when the Turkish lira (TL) is being replaced by a new Turkish lira, (YTL) worth 0.7 US dollars or 0.5 euros (removing 6 zeros).