Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Tuesday affirmed Turkey's commitment to the European Union (EU) membership bid and rejected any deviation from the EU target, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

During a press conference held in Ankara, Gul said "Turkey will continue to fulfill issues which it considers as appropriate for itself and continue to meet its responsibilities in the EU process. "

He also pledged to continue the implementation of reforms aimed at bringing Turkey closer to the EU.

However, Gul criticized the bloc for lacking the will to play a major role in world affairs and characterized the unwillingness as the underlying motive for an EU decision to partially freeze Turkey's entry talks.

"While Turkey focused on important issues like Iraq, Lebanon and terrorism, the EU spent its hours and discussed how it could put pressure on Turkey regarding Cyprus issue. This disturbs Turkey," said Gul.

Last week, EU leaders agreed to suspend parts of Turkey's accession talks in response to Ankara's refusal to implement an additional protocol which extends its customs union to ten new EU members including the Republic of Cyprus.

The issue of opening Turkey's ports to Cyprus is at the core of Turkey-EU dispute which led to the partial suspension, as Turkey refuses to do so, insisting that the international community must first move to ease the isolation imposed on the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north.

As for the Cyprus issue, Gul reiterated Turkey's persistent calls to handle it within the scope of the UN.

"UN is the right place to resolve the Cyprus issue," he said, urging the 25-nation bloc to lift the trade limitations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.

Gul said that British Prime Minister Tony Blair's remarks on launching direct flight to Turkish Cypriot north will be an important development like ending isolation of Turkish Cypriots.

During a visit to Turkey last week, Blair said his country could start direct flights to northern Cyprus unless there is a legal obstacle.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily

intervened and occupied the north of Cyprus following a coup by a group of Greek officers.

The internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in 2004 in the name of the whole island. The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized by Turkey only.

Source: Xinhua