ADANA - European Commission's Turkey Representative Hans Joerg Kretschmer said on Monday that ''Cyprus'' would become a member of the EU and that Turkey had to determine its attitude by taking into consideration this fact.
Kretschmer talked about ''Turkey's EU membership and EU policies,'' during his visit to Adana Trade Chamber.
Noting that in case of Turkey's membership to the EU, Turkey had to fulfill all the EU laws, rules and acquis and it had to give assurances about it before its membership, Kretschmer said that in addition to EU countries which focused on political issues, there were also other EU countries which were concerned about the issue of migration.
Kretschmer said that the case of Leyla Zana and Cyprus issue were brought onto agenda frequently by Turkey-opponents.
Recalling that Strategy Document referred to Cyprus issue, Kretschmer said that it was not seen as a political criteria, but it was also assessed with this dimension.
Noting that ''Cyprus'' would become a member of the EU on May 1, 2004, Kretschmer said that Turkey had to determine its attitude by taking into consideration this fact because this issue would also be taken up in full membership negotiations of Turkey. If this was not the case, it would mean non-recognition of one member state by one of the candidates, he said, adding that this had to be solved and EU hoped that. ''This is important not only for Turkey, but also for Cyprus,'' he said.
Kretschmer said that the Progress Report covered reforms that Turkey fulfilled recently and stated that it also underlined that if studies on the issue continued, there could be positive developments regarding negotiation process of Turkey.
Stating that the Turkish government also accepted that issues in the Progress Report reflected objectively the situation of Turkey, Kretschmer said that arrangements and decisions which were taken on adjustment to political criteria should be felt in daily life. Stressing that Turkey should fulfil basic and radical reforms, Kretschmer said that Turkey took important steps with adjustment package. He stated that Turkey should look at the future and get prepared for the future.
Kretschmer said that obligations on the constitution which was being prepared, human rights and basic freedoms would be brought to the EU and stated that no country would have a special treatment on this issue.
Stating that the EU was a supranational institution, Kretschmer said that members of the Union should put into practice decisions which were adopted without putting any reservation. Kretschmer said that members of the Union should put into practice laws, rules and arrangements and stated that Turkey should also guarantee that it would comply with those things. Stating that when Turkey became a member of the EU, it could not bring issues such as sensitivities onto the agenda, he said that being an Islamic country or geographical location or strategic importance would not be used as an excuse because there would not be such a privilege.
ATO Chairman Saban Bas said the visit coincided with the days when Turkish-EU relations gained importance, stressing that this pleased them. Bas said they launched initiatives to inform members of the chamber as well as people in the region on EU.
Bas said they formed an EU Information Office within the Chamber, noting that they turned this place into an important information and document center for the region. He said Turkish people were resolved on membership to EU, stressing that, ''however, some issues in the Progress Report reduced confidence of Turkey. Particularly, Cyprus issue, which has nothing to do with the political criteria, caused concern for us. Moreover, statements of Greece on this issue are unacceptable.''
Bas said Turkey was resolved to be a member of the EU and works hard to meet the criteria envisaged. He said, ''we feel uneasy as issues, which have nothing to do with the issue, are connected with Turkey's EU full membership and brought in front of us. Care should be shown to Turkey's sensitivities.''
(ÖŞ-EÖ-AY-AÖ) 10.11.2003