Gul: Turkey Is Resolved To Launch, Strengthen And Improve Necessary Initiatives In Every Field

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday that Turkey was resolved to launch, strengthen and further improve necessary initiatives in every field, particularly in supremacy of law, in changing conditions of the world.
Gul issued a message on ''May 9 Europe Day''. In the message, Gul recalled that Europe Day was celebrated in a comprehensive way in Turkey since Helsinki Summit where Turkey's candidacy to European Union was granted.
Stating that Copenhagen political criteria was met to a great extend with important legal amendments approved by the Parliament in the past one year, Gul said with those packages, principle rights and freedoms were strengthened to form a democratic country.
Gul said recent reform package would be sent to the Parliament soon, and that remaining deficiencies would be overcome with this. He said thus adjustment to Copenhagen political criteria would be completed.
Gul said efforts of the government exerted to adjust with the political criteria, and the importance it attributed to the implementation of the political criteria were recently stressed in Human Rights Consultation Council, adding that Turkish people welcomed those positive developments which serve to reach values and norms of contemporary countries in the fields of democracy, supremacy of law, and human rights.
Stating that reforms initiated in economy were carried out with determination and that important steps were taken to provide stability, Gul said they acted basing on the belief that the reforms in this area were also important to adjust with European Union.
Stressing that 2002 was an important year for Turkey in terms of Turkey's EU accession process, Gul said, ''our primary target in EU accession process is the opening of membership negotiations as soon as possible. If the EU believes that Turkey fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria under the commission report and recommendations, it made commitment at the Copenhagen Summit that it will open membership negotiations without a delay in December of 2004.''
''We don't have a very long time for implementation of decisions taken at the Copenhagen Summit. Under this, we have been having intense contacts both with the commission and member countries. With this objective, a series of works have been carried out since the beginning of the year. Recently, relations between Turkey and the EU were assessed in great detail at the Council of Ministers meeting,'' he said.
Recalling that the EU had approved the revised Accession Partnership Accord on April 14, 2003 under the Copenhagen Summit decisions, Gul said that the government had reviewed the Accession Partnership Accord in the light of new factors it included, and it had conveyed its opinions to the commission.
Noting that changes in the Accession Partnership Document were not the main reason to convey their opinions to the commission, Gul said that the aim was to have their opinions drawn attention in the 2003 Progress Report to be prepared by the commission.
''Under the new Accession Partnership Accord that the EU prepared for our country, we target to finalize works on preparation of a new National Programme in June through coordination with the EU Secretariat General. New Accession Partnership document and National Programme constitute the road map of the relations between Turkey and the EU after the Copenhagen Summit,'' he said.
Gul stressed that the EU would benefit from accession of Turkey which had historical and cultural richness and young and dynamic human resources.
GUL HOSTS WORKING DINNER TO THE EU AMBASSADORS IN ANKARA ON EUROPE DAY
Gul said that their most important target in Turkey-European Union (EU) relations was to start accession talks.
Gul hosted a working lunch to EU ambassadors in Ankara.
Speaking before the lunch, Gul said, ''Turkish-EU relations have been developing rapidly during the past 4 years. You are no doubt aware that our main goal in our relationship is the opening of accession negotiations. We are determined to fulfill the political criteria. We have the will and the necessary Parliamentary majority to do so. We are also aware of the limited time in front of us. It is just over a year, as we have to consider that reports have to be written as well.''
Gul said, ''the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey will demonstrate that the EU is determined to unify Europe without creating new dividing lines. This is a historical mission both for the EU and Turkey.''
Stating that they were aware of the limited time in front of them yet that they were determined to take every kind of steps to fulfill Copenhagen political criteria, Gul said the government submitted two comprehensive legislative packages to the Parliament in December. He said, ''these entered into force in January this year. We also declared 'zero tolerance' against torture and ill treatment.''
Pointing out that they planned to complete new National Programme in June under the light of revised Accession Partnership document, Gul said, ''we know that the decision to open the negotiations with Turkey will be taken on the basis of reports to be prepared by the Commission this year and next. Thus, it is of crucial importance that these reports include impartial, fair and objective assessments. We believe that, as the distinguished representatives of the EU Member States in Turkey, your contributions to this process will be highly influential. We trust your fair reporting and judgement.''
Greek Ambassador Michael Christides in his part said they were aware of the efforts exerted by the 59th government, stating that they appreciated those efforts.
Stating that there were many things to be done on the way to EU, Christides stressed the importance of implementation.
The Ambassador said they conveyed the sincere steps taken by Turkey in this respect, stating that they would do their best to operate the timetable given for Turkey.
He said they believed that there was no other alternative but to enter the EU soon.
TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH EU AND USA, AND CYPRUS, IRAQ AND MIDDLE EAST ISSUES TAKEN UP AT LUNCH
Sources quoted on Friday ambassadors as saying that they saw such a decisive government in Turkey's EU membership process for the first time and stated that they were pleased with good will of the government.
Gul reiterated that the government was very determined to complete Turkey's criteria in EU process and stated that they were exerting efforts to solve problems in some fields.
Touching on importance of implementation, Gul stressed that they aimed not to leave any obstacle to start accession negotiations.
Concerning relations between Turkey and the United States, he said motion process passed clear and transparent.
Gul said that people should not expect Turkish-U.S. relations to be harmed only because of Iraq issue.
Gul noted that Turkey-United States strategic partnership would continue in a sounder atmosphere from now on.
Touching on Iraq issue at the luncheon, ambassadors recalled Turkey's concerns over terror, migration and territorial integrity of Iraq and stated that Turkey's interests were protected well in that respect.
Ambassadors said that they considered Turkey as successful within this scope and stated that Turkey would have not dangers but opportunities in the future.
Reiterating that Turkey was in favor of solution on Cyprus issue, Gul said that doors were still open for solution.
Gul wanted initiatives of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to be considered as ''measures improving confidence'' and stated that both sides should be encouraged to reach solution.
Gul said regarding Palestine issue that Turkey supported ''road map'' and stated that people in Middle East had some problems. He added that Turkey was ready to do what was necessary on that issue.
(EÖ-AÖ) 09.05.2003