ANKARA - European Commission President Romano Prodi is expected to praise changes in Turkey and call for continuation and implementation of reforms during his visit to Ankara between January 15 and 16, 2004.
Releasing a statement on Wednesday, the European Commission Representation in Turkey stated, ''during the first visit of a Commission President to Turkey for the past 40 years, Romano Prodi will repeat the strong wish of the European Union (EU) to welcome Turkey as an equal and respected member.''
''Prodi will praise the changes undertaken by the Turkish government to meet the EU accession criteria and will call for the continuation and implementation of these reforms,'' it said.
Noting that the Cyprus question would also be brought onto agenda during Prodi's meetings, the statement noted, ''Prodi will also stress the strong preference of the EU for the accession of a united Cyprus to the EU on May 1, following a settlement based on the United Nations peace plan, and insist on the benefits of such an outcome for Turkey.''
''This visit takes place at a crucial moment for Turkey. In nine months time, the Commission will present a report on the progress made by Turkey towards meeting the political criteria for EU accession, and will make a recommendation to the European Council who will decide, at its meeting in December 2004, on the possible opening of accession negotiations with Turkey,'' it said.
The statement noted, ''The last regular report the Commission presented in November 2003 underlined the determined efforts and significant progress of Turkey towards meeting the political criteria. The report also stressed that further efforts are needed. This concerns in particular the strengthening of the independence and the functioning of the judiciary, the overall framework for the exercise of fundamental freedoms (association, expression and religion) the further alignment of civil-military relations with European practice, the situation in the Southeast and cultural rights. Turkey should ensure full and effective implementation of reforms to ensure that Turkish citizens can enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with European standards.''
''On Cyprus, the European Council, at its meeting in Brussels, stated that a settlement of this issue based on the plan submitted by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan 'would greatly facilitate Turkey's membership aspirations'. The Commission considers that the window of opportunity is still open for a comprehensive settlement before the 1st of May, thus allowing for the accession of a united island,'' it said.
Prodi, who will be accompanied by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal.
He will address the Turkish parliament and hold a speech at the Bogazici University in Istanbul.
Prodi, together with Foreign Minister Gul, will also proceed to the official opening of the EU Information Center in Istanbul which has been established as part of the European Commission's communication strategy for Turkey, and is expected to become the focal point of a lively exchange and dialogue in this largest city of Turkey.
(UK-MS) 14.01.2004