European Parliament President Cox In Ankara

ANKARA - European Parliament President Pat Cox arrived in Ankara on Monday as the official guest of Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT COX SAYS HIS MESSAGE WILL BE TO OFFER HIS RESPECT TO DEPUTIES DUE TO RAPID REFORMS
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Cox held a joint press conference after their meeting which lasted for about an hour.
Arinc said that he told Cox that he was the first European Parliament President visiting Turkey and it was very meaningful. He stated that Turkey's friends in Europe and EU talked about reforms that were fulfilled and steps that were taken by Turkey on its accession process to the EU.
''President always appreciated courageous and determined steps that were taken by the Turkish parliament and government. His visit is a comprehensive visit. President Cox will have meetings with President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and will address the parliament on Tuesday. It is very important for the parliament,'' Arinc said.
Cox said that he was very pleased with being in Turkey and visiting the parliament and noted that 2004 year meant for the EU to renew and redefine itself. Cox added that EU would achieve the biggest enlargement of its history on May 1, 2004.
Recalling that EU would elect its new deputies in June, Cox said that it was the most appropriate time for European Parliament President to visit the Turkish parliament in such an important year.
Cox said that his message was that these studies should be maintained and noted that his message to deputies would be to offer his respect due to rapid reforms that were fulfilled by them in recent years and stated that his message would be to encourage deputies for their studies on this path. Cox added that he believed that those reforms were good for both Turkey and Turkey's position in the EU.
COX CALLS ON LEADERS OF BOTH SIDES IN CYPRUS TO DISPLAY THEIR COURAGE AND ACT WISELY TO FIND A SOLUTION
Upon a question about the negotiation process in Cyprus, Cox reminded that negotiation process had been continuing in the island under the leadership of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Noting that neither Annan nor Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro de Soto would prefer him to assess their performance in the ongoing negotiation process, Cox said that the sides should not miss such a historic opportunity.
Noting that they needed leaders of the both sides to display their courage and good-will, Cox said that Turkey and Greece should also display a similar attitude.
Cox called on leaders of both sides in Cyprus to display their courage and act wisely to find a solution to the Cyprus issue.
When asked, ''what will the European Union (EU) do if Turkish Cypriots say no in the referendum to be held at the end of the negotiation process?'' Cox told reporters it was not correct to think about a likely reaction against a failure.
Stressing that if leaders of the both sides agreed on a solution, their people would pursue them, Cox said that if negotiations came to a positive conclusion and if they were invited, they would assist the both sides in campaign.
He stressed that accession to the EU would mean removal of conflicts.
When asked whether or not Greek Cypriot side's accession to the EU made the process of finding a solution to the Cyprus issue more difficult, Cox reminded that the Greek Cypriot side would become a member of the EU on May 1, 2004, adding that it was the result of earlier developments.
Stressing that accession of a united Cyprus would be ideal for the EU, Cox said that leaders of the both sides had pledged to United Nations Secretary General Annan to do their utmost to find a solution, calling on them to fulfill their pledge.
ARINC HOSTS A DINNER
Arinc has said, ''the reform process in Turkey has led to a significant change of mentality in foreign countries. This change of mentality has now reached a unreturnable level.''
Arinc hosted a dinner on Monday in honor of European Parliament (EP) President Pat Cox.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Mehmet Dulger and Parliamentary Adjustment to the European Union (EU) Commission Chairman Yasar Yakis also partook in the dinner.
Speaking at the dinner, Arinc described the year 2004 as a significant turning point in regard to Turkey's relations with the EU.
''We know that our friends appreciated our initiatives to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria. The reform process in Turkey has led to a significant change of mentality in foreign countries. This change of mentality has now reached a unreturnable level. Turkey has been rapidly turning into a European country of modern standards in regard to rule of law and human rights. We believe that we have exceeded the critical threshold in regulations. Our government attributes great importance to and prioritizes putting all these reforms into practice. We have been exerting great efforts to this end. Although it is not a pre-condition for opening of accession talks between Turkey and the EU, we have made a significant progress in fulfilling economic criteria,'' he said.
Arinc noted, ''while Turkey's progress in its EU membership process has been generally accepted in EU circles, some circles have been trying to deviate Turkey-the EU relations from their natural course. Turkey-the EU relations are based on mutual interests. We think that lack of appropriate information cause such negative initiatives.''
''It is understood that the atmosphere of elections for the EP will be misused by some circles to explain their views opposing to Turkey's membership to the EU. We should be able to explain unique identity of Turkey with its modern state combining the Islam with the modernism to these circles. Also, we should explain Turkey's future contributions to the EU with its dynamic population and economy, and with its special political and strategic position in the junction point of commerce and energy lines connecting the EU with Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East,'' he said.
Arinc said, ''I would like to draw your attention to mistake of thesis of cultural difference used by circles who are opposed to Turkey's membership to the EU. According to our point of view, using cultural differences as an excluding argument of politics is a very dangerous approach. The understanding considering different nations, religions and cultures the 'other' is the real reason of tensions in the international area. In fact, respect to cultural differences constitutes the real asset of the EU.''
''We rely on Mr. Cox that he will enlighten us in our target of becoming a member of the EU with his views and recommendations. We wish that his influential assistance and support will continue till the day we altogether overcome such preventive prejudices,'' he added.
Meanwhile, EP President Cox said about political statements in Europe against Turkey's membership to the EU that Europeans should discuss it, adding that Turkey's europeanization had become concrete.
Noting that although he did not agree with these statements, bringing such issues onto agenda was of importance in democracies, Cox said that situation of countries, which would become members of the EU officially in May 1, 2004 had also caused arguments in Europe.
Cox added that he was quite sure that the Turkish government was determined to modernize Turkey.
(UK) 01.03.2004