ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that they would present the National Program to parliament on Tuesday.
Replying to questions of reporters, Gul said that the National Program would be given final shape till Thursday evening and the final program would be submitted to political parties and non-governmental organizations.
Gul noted that the program would be presented to parliament on Tuesday and the Council of Ministers would make a decision about the program after the contributions of parliament and the program would be issued in the Official Gazette.
Pointing to the importance of the invitation made to Turkey during EU Thessaloniki Summit for intergovernmental conference foreseen to start in October, Gul said that invitation was made only to the countries which started full membership negotiations in Nice summit and Turkey was not among those countries that day.
Gul announced that Turkey would apply for permanent membership of U.N. Security Council in coming years and Turkey was not a member to the Council since 1961.
Turkey had maintained membership for two times since 1961 but it withdrew its membership later, Gul said.
Gul stated that for which term Turkey would be a member would be determined in coming years.
Gul did not reply to a question about Repentance Law taken up in Council of Ministers meeting by saying that Justice Minister and government spokesman Cemil Cicek made the necessary statement.
Replying to another question, Gul said that the date of his visit to the United States had not become definite yet.
Gul added, ''both of the sides want that visit to take place as soon as possible. Sides work on the program, but it will not be too late.''
(BRC-AÖ) 25.06.2003