Today, in an English-language newspaper, groundless allegations appeared regarding Foreign Minister's decision not to attend the WEU meetings to be held in Porto, Portugal on 15-16 May , 2000 and his vsit to Mesut Yılmaz, Chairman of the Motherland Party.

The Turkish delegation to take part in the WEU meetings will be headed by National Defense Minister Sabahattin Çakmakoğlu as was the case on so many former occasions. In fact, only a limited number of foreign ministers attends WEU meetings. Similarly, it was learned that only a few foreign ministers will participate in the Porto meetings. Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry had already given detailed information on this matter to the press on May 10.

On the other hand, the Minister had visited first the Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit , then Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahçeli and finally the chairman of the Motherland Party. He briefed them on his recent foreign visits and the latest developments of the Turkish foreign policy. The allegations in the said newspaper concerning the contents of those routine visits have absolutely no relation to the fact.