Sungar: We Are At Very Important Stage In Relations With E.U.

ANKARA - Secretary General for the European Union (EU) Murat Sungar said on Tuesday that a very important period had started in relations with the EU and added, ''we are approaching to the point which can fully open Turkey's membership path.''
Sungar briefed the EU Adjustment Commission about the National Program.
Turkey would submit the revised National Program to the EU, Sungar said.
Sungar noted that the revised National Program stressed developments recorded on the road to adjustment with the EU acquis since March 2000 and covered reforms to be made till the end of 2003, and changes planned to be put into practice till the end of 2004.
That also meant political commitment aiming at opening of full membership negotiations till the end of 2004, Sungar emphasized.
Sungar pointed out that the National Program should meet expectations listed in Accession Partnership Accord in order to help Turkey reach its target of full membership.
Performance to be made to meet those expectations would be effective in the decision on whether or not Turkey could start full membership negotiations at the end of 2004, Sungar said.
Sungar drew the attention that negotiations could not be started unless political criteria were met.
Fulfillment of economic criteria and adjustment to acquis could be possible during the negotiation process, Sungar recalled.
Sungar noted that evaluations about political criteria in the National Program was made with efforts and contributions of all public institutions and organizations taking into consideration Accession Partnership Accord, annual report of the EU Commission regarding progress made by Turkey, European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions, ECHR opinion, and views of the non-governmental organizations in the EU member countries.
''In the political criteria chapter of the National Program, it is said that legal arrangements regarding Copenhagen political criteria will be completed in the 22nd term first legislative year of parliament, effects of reforms in practice can be seen till June 2004. It is also said that necessary arrangements in several laws regarding adjustment to political criteria are preferred to be made in the shape of adjustment packages and it is targeted to renew main laws as a whole in a longer term,'' Sungar said.
Sungar noted that political criteria chapter would attach importance to maintenance and development of freedom of expression and strengthening of civilian society and supporting democratic participation would continue.
Relevant regulation would continue to be reviewed, torture and mal-treatment would be prevented, and zero tolerance would be shown to torture and mal-treatment, Sungar said.
Sungar stated that in the same chapter, Turkey committed to fastidiously implement legal and administrative measures regarding that issue, broaden human rights training of public officials, give importance to judicial reform, and efficiently put into practice measures related with conditions in prisons.
''The government makes commitment to guarantee that all individuals can benefit from human rights, fundamental liberties and cultural rights without any discrimination, protect freedoms of thought, opinion, religion and belief within the scope of European Convention on Human Rights. It is stated that practices regarding freedom of worship will be facilitated taking into consideration needs of different religions and beliefs in the light of the Convention, women-men equality will be ensured in implementation, and provisions related with broadcasting and teaching in languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens will be put into practice. In this chapter, it is also noted that functions of National Security Council (NSC) and Secretariat General of NSC will be adjusted in the shape of adviser organ with amendments to Constitution and related laws,'' Sungar said.
Sungar pointed out that the government committed to complete regulation works regarding political criteria within 2003 and drew the attention that bills on that issue should be legalized as soon as possible and conventions should quickly be approved.
Reform bills were tried to be legalized before parliament recess, Sungar recalled.
Sungar said that adjustment packages should be continued in parallel with the work on basic laws to complete regulation initiatives in that legislative term.
In that context, preparations for constitutional and legal amendments continued in the fields of freedom of expression and thought, right to association, right to demonstration, strengthening civilian society, preventing torture, ensuring functionality and efficiency of jurisdiction, execution of punishments, men-women equality and making all individuals benefit from basic rights, Sungar stated.
Pointing to the Seventh Adjustment Package, Sungar said, ''it is an ideal target to be achieved till the end of July.''
(BRC-AÖ) 01.07.2003