COMMITTEE: WE WELCOMED STEPS TAKEN BY TURKEY
ANKARA - The declaration released after two-day Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Committee meetings, said on Tuesday, ''we welcomed the steps taken by Turkey so far on the way of the political, economic and institutional reform process towards meeting Copenhagen criteria. We encourage the Turkish government to pursue resolutely implementation of these reforms.''
Issues such as Turkey-EU relations in the context of the enlargement process, implementation of the pre-accession strategy for Turkey, security and defense policy issues and convention of the future of Europe were included in the declaration of the meeting presided by Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Committee co-chairmen Joost Lagendijk and Aydin Dumanoglu.
The declaration said, ''we reaffirmed the historical importance of the decision to grant Turkey candidate country status taken at the European Council meeting in Helsinki in December of 1999 with the prospect of becoming a full member of the EU.''
''We welcomed the steps taken by Turkey so far on the way of the political, economic and institutional reform process towards meeting Copenhagen criteria. We encourage the Turkish government to pursue resolutely implementation of these reforms,'' it said.
The declaration noted, ''the revised Accession Partnership which was adopted on April 14, 2003, sets out the priorities to be accomplished by Turkey particularly towards meeting the Copenhagen political criteria until the European Council in December of 2004. The work of the eight sub-committees of Turkey-EU Association Committee formed in April 2000 has facilitated a comprehensive evaluation of the level of harmonization of the Turkish legislation with the acquis communautaire.''
''One of the key objectives of the pre-accession strategy should be to improve knowledge between the EU and the Turkish civil society. We call on the European Commission, the European Parliament, the member states and the Turkish authorities to explore possible ways and means of launching an effective public information campaign in order to help prepare public opinion in Turkey and in the EU,'' it said.
The declaration said, ''we welcomed the signature by Turkey of Protocol 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the abolition of the death penalty. We look forward to the completion of the ratification process which is in its final stage.''
''We support all the efforts of the Turkish authorities to combat terrorism while respecting the standards governing the rule of law in a democratic society. We invite the EU member states to cooperate effectively with Turkey in this regard,'' it said.
The declaration said, ''we insist on the need to promote economic and social development in the most disadvantaged regions including the east and south-east of the country in order to existing disparities and ensure greater social cohesion.''
Referring to the Cyprus question, the declaration said, ''although a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem has not yet been reached, we welcomed the recent rapprochement between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot authorities and societies following the opening of the borders between the northern and southern parts of the island.''
''We recognize the financial and economic problems that Turkey has faced as the direct result of the situation in Iraq for more than a decade and also in connection with the operation in Iraq. We ask Turkey and the EU to join their respective efforts in the reconstruction process and strengthen cooperation and consultation on Iraq in the widest possible fashion,'' the declaration added.
LAGENDIJK: WE WANT TO SEE CHANGES IN FUNCTIONS OF TSK AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES
Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Joost Lagendijk said that they wanted to see changes in functions of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and in civil authorities.
Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Lagendijk and Aydin Dumanoglu held a press conference following the meeting.
Speaking at the press conference, Lagendijk said that they had held a very beneficial meeting prior to important decisions to be taken at the end of next year.
Noting that civil and military relations were high on agenda of the meeting, Lagendijk said that they wanted to see implementation of reforms made by Turkey under its EU full membership process.
When asked, ''the TSK had some objections to the sixth EU adjustment package. The seventh package will be brought onto agenda in the coming days. The package will envisage making the National Security Council (NSC) civilian. Did you make any recommendations to Turkish parliaments on this issue?'' Lagendijk quoted Turkish parliamentarians as saying, ''despite reservations of the TSK on the sixth adjustment package, the package was submitted to the parliament in line with the government's views. The TSK put forward is opinion clearly. However, it did not affect preparation of the package.''
Noting that the TSK should not put forward such sound opinions in the future, Lagendijk said that the NSC was a consultative institution.
Pointing out that despite difference of opinion between the government and the TSK, the sixth EU adjustment package was submitted to the parliament in way the government wanted, Lagendijk said that it was an important step.
Lagendijk refrained from responding questions about the seventh EU adjustment package saying that he had not seen the text yet.
Lagendjik said if they were to talk on behalf of the parliament, they would like to see some changes. He said they wanted to see changes in functions of the Turkish Army and in their civilian authorities. For example, he said, they wanted the Turkish army to be in the same situation with the army in the Netherlands, and that they wanted the Turkish army to be in the level of armies in European countries within 1.5 years.
Lagendjik said withdrawal of judge in State Security Court (DGM) in the 6th package was such a step, stating that similar steps would be taken in the coming 1.5 years. He said they expected concrete steps from Turkey, and noted that function of the Turkish Army would be like the assignment and function of the armies in other member countries of the EU in the next 1.5 years.
Lagendjik said the change should clearly be put forward, and noted that they wanted to see civilian authorities to be above the armed forces. He said there were changes in the 6th package and that they wondered the 7th package.''
When asked whether or not he saw possible for Turkey to get a date to start full membership negotiations by the end of 2004, Lagendijk said, ''yes, possible.''
Lagendijk said a very small group in the European Parliament said ''Turkey will not be able to abide by the criteria'' and again a very small group said, ''Turkey will absolutely abide by the criteria''. He said a big group considered the issue in a criticizing manner, and said in case the Turkish government continues current process, it may abide by criteria.
He said if the Turkish government continued this, it would be able to get a positive response from the EU by the end of next year.
Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission co-Chairman Aydin Dumanoglu said the 50th meeting took place in brotherhood, friendship, unity and integrity, and that both sides had good will.
Dumanoglu said the meeting was very beneficial for the sides and that it was extremely fruitful for preparation of Turkey's future.
Responding to a question whether or not financial aid of the EU to Turkey was discussed, Dumanoglu said European Commission exhibited good will approach to Turkey's EU membership.
(UK-AY-AÖ) 17.06.2003