CHALKIDIKI - Carrying forward the reform process of Turkey was supported and a call on resumption of negotiation toward solution of Cyprus question was made in the final statement of the European Union (EU) Thessaloniki Summit which was held in Chalkidiki peninsula near Thessaloniki in Greece on Friday.
No changes was made in the expressions regarding Turkey and Cyprus in draft text in the final statement.
It was recalled in the part concerning Turkey in the statement that EU, with a view to helping Turkey achieve its reform process, adopted recently a revised Accession Partnership.
''This accord sets out the priorities which Turkey should pursue together with substantially increased pre-accession financial assistance. Fulfillment of these priorities in accordance with Helsinki conclusions will assist Turkey towards EU membership. The Accession Partnership constitutes the cornerstone of EU-Turkey relations, in particular in view of the decision to be taken by the European Council in December 2004,'' noted the statement.
The statement called on resumption of negotiation toward solution of Cyprus question.
It was defended ''Cyprus'' accession to the Union is already creating favorable conditions for the two communities to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. ''To this end, our Union strongly supports the continuation of the U.N. Secretary General's mission of good offices.''
Noting that recent easing restrictions in the contacts and communication between Greek and Turkish Cypriots has been positive and has demonstrated that the two communities can live together in a reunited island within the Union, the statement said, '' At the same time, however, our Union does not consider this as a substitute for a comprehensive settlement. The European Council, therefore, urges all parties concerned, and in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to strongly support the U.N. Secretary General's efforts, and, in this context, calls for an early resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals.''
The statement emphasized ''to this end, the European Union is to further contribute towards a just, viable, and functional settlement of the Cyprus problem consistent with the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. Our Union recalls its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. In this context, the European Council welcomes the Commission's willingness to offer assistance for a speedy solution within the framework of the acquis.''
The declaration also said it looks forward to the implementation of the measures prepared by the EU Commission for development of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in consultation with the Greek Cypriot side and in accordance with the Copenhagen European Council Conclusions.
(GC-AÖ) 21.06.2003