Erdogan: The Draft Aiming At Shortening Military Service Was Signed At Council Of Ministers

ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, ''the draft aiming at shortening military service was signed at the Council of Ministers today without making any changes in the proposal of the General Staff.''
Responding questions of journalists, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the draft aiming at shortening military service was signed at meeting of the Council of Ministers without making any change in the proposal of the General Staff.
Responding a question about draft National Program, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''works have still been continuing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After completion of the works, the draft will be presented to the main opposition party and other political parties. We will also inform relevant non-governmental organizations on the program. The draft will be submitted to the parliament on July 1 the latest.''
When asked whether or not the draft National Program would be brought onto agenda of this week's meeting of National Security Council (NSC), Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters, ''the EU membership is high on agenda of Turkey. During preparatory works, we listened to views of the General Staff. A statement will be released following NSC meeting.''
(UK) 24.06.2003