Batu: We Have To Complete Eu Full Membership Process

ANKARA - Inal Batu, a deputy of the Republican People's Party (CHP) said on Friday, ''we have to complete the European Union (EU) full membership process.''
Pre-discussion on motion for a general discussion on the EU was held at the Parliamentary General Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the CHP, Batu said, ''in today's stage reached in relations between Turkey and the EU, new hesitations will constitute a historical mistake. We have to complete the EU full membership process. As the parliament, we should fulfill our responsibilities.''
Describing the EU as one of the most important economic, social, political and military integration initiatives of the century, Batu said, ''this initiative has achieved significant successes. However, the EU could not achieve the same success in political and military integration. Relations between Turkey and the EU have been continuing for nearly half a century. It should be taken into consideration that the Republic of Turkey has made a historic transformation by adopting western legal system and values with its own will before beginning of these relations.''
''Now, we have reached a critical milestone in our relations with the EU. Although, Turkey has taken many important steps to fulfill Copenhagen criteria in the summer of 2002, the EU did not set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey. Instead, it decided to assess Turkey's situation in December of 2004. We disappointed with this decision,'' he said.
Batu said, ''approval of 10 new members, which will complete their full membership process next year, will be requested for Turkey. As you know, one of these members is the Greek Cypriot side which Turkey does not recognize. You can understand difficulties of such a situation. Also, important structural changes will be made in the EU in 2004 and the structure of the EU Commission will be changed. Impact of the European Parliament on the EU will increase. Meanwhile, if problems between Turkey and Greece cannot be solved in 2004, these problems will be transferred to the International Court of Justice.''
''Despite all these negativities, parliament's self-respecting and distinctive attitude during the debate on Iraq on March 1, 2003 increased our esteem and impact in the EU member countries,'' he said.
''Another positive development is that the Cyprus question has reached a very pleasing stage in regard to our relations with the EU. The current picture in Cyprus has positive impacts in these relations' reaching a better and more productive stage. At this point, we have the right to expect the EU, Greece and the Greek Cypriot side respond our initiatives by taking positive steps. The EU should take the first step by lifting embargoes on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Greek Cypriots are allowed to visit the TRNC and Turkey without visa. However, Turkish Cypriot people cannot get visa from Greece. Even Turkish citizens who have TRNC entrance stamps in their passports cannot enter Greece. This should be given an end. The Greek Cypriot side's gates are still closed for Turkish Cypriots whose origins are of Turkey. This is an outdated attitude,'' he emphasized.
Recalling that the CHP had always played a pioneering role in Turkey's reaching its target of the EU full membership, Batu said, ''efforts of our party have been continuing without any interruption. All CHP officials including CHP leader Deniz Baykal have been launching initiatives both in Turkey and abroad for Turkey's EU full membership process.''
''In today's stage reached in relations between Turkey and the EU, new hesitations will constitute a historical mistake. We have to complete the EU full membership process. As the parliament, we should fulfill our responsibilities,'' he stressed.
(UK-AÖ) 23.05.2003