TOP EU OFFICIALS MEET WITH ERDOGAN, GUL IN ANKARA
Top European officials yesterday assured Turkey that the European Union would start accession negotiations with Ankara without delay if it sticks to its reform agenda to completely fulfill the EU’s Copenhagen criteria. An EU delegation comprised of Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, whose country currently holds the rotating EU term presidency, along with Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen yesterday arrived in Ankara to discuss Turkey’s EU membership bid and the ongoing Cyprus negotiations. “We have reiterated our strong assurance that if the European Council decides in December that Turkey fulfills the Copenhagen political criteria, the EU is committed to opening accession negotiations without delay,” said Cowen, speaking to reporters after the delegation’s meeting with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. “A key element in that decision will of course be progress in the reform process. We have warmly welcomed the very substantial progress made to date in legislating for reform. We discussed a number of outstanding issues in the process and the crucial importance of moving ahead with the practical implementation of reforms at all levels of administration and throughout the country.” The Ankara meeting also addressed the Cyprus issue. “It is our firm hope that the parties will redouble their efforts in the negotiating process now underway in Cyprus,” urged Cowen, adding: “The clear preference of the EU is for the accession of a united Cyprus.” For his part, Verheugen said, “The Union fully agrees with the Turkish position that we must find a solution that is, so to speak, legally waterproof,” and pledged that the EU would “find a way out of the legal minefield.” The delegation then met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who called on the EU to pursue a clearer and more determined Cyprus policy. Both Erdogan and Gul believe that a Cyprus settlement must be included in EU legislation so as to prevent any future weakening. /All Papers/
EP REPORT: “SOLVING THE CYPRUS ISSUE IS A TEST FOR TURKEY”
A new European Parliament report on Cyprus released yesterday indicated the Union’s satisfaction at setting a timetable for solving the Cyprus issue. The report prepared by Jacques Poos, a parliamentarian from Luxembourg, pointed to the EU Commission’s view that if it remains unsolved, the Cyprus issue would pose a serious obstacle to Turkey’s EU membership. The report also reiterated that the EU wanted to integrate a united Cyprus into the Union, calling on both sides on the island to act with good will to solve the issue in line with the United Nations plan. The report is expected to be discussed by full EP tomorrow. /Cumhuriyet/
AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT VOICES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S EU BID
Speaking yesterday after meeting with his German counterpart Johannes Rau, Austrian President Thomas Klestil said that he favored expansion of the European Union, adding that his nation and Germany stood to benefit the most from this. He stated that Austria supported Turkey’s European Union membership bid. “When Ankara fulfills the Copenhagen criteria, we should begin its accession talks as soon as possible,” added Klestil. /Aksam/
DENKTAS SAYS SWEDISH MODEL REJECTED, CRITICIZES MEDIA COVERAGE
Speaking to reporters yesterday after his daily negotiations with Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that the Greek Cypriots had rejected all of his proposed changes to the United Nations Cyprus plan. During the talks, said Denktas, he had proposed a Swedish model for the island entailing two equal states, but Papadopoulos had turned this down. He further criticized the media’s coverage of the Cyprus issue, saying that negative news about the talks was being deliberately published. “If the media loses credibility, then this could damage democracy,” warned Denktas. “The media’s behavior has been odd and very disappointing.” Denktas and Papadopoulos are set to meet again today. /Cumhuriyet/
NEW GREEK PM KARAMANLIS: “WE WILL SUPPORT TURKEY’S EU BID IF IT MEETS THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA”
Speaking to French daily Le Figaro yesterday, newly elected Greek Prime Minister and New Democracy Party leader Costas Karamanlis said that his new government would support Turkey’s European Union membership bid if it fulfills the Copenhagen criteria. But Karamanlis criticized the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) role in Turkish politics, saying that this should change. “Ankara’s important reforms would be to the TSK’s role,” he stated. “There is a great opportunity for Turkey to be an EU member, but it must prove its resolve.” He said that Athens could reduce its defense expenses provided that tensions with Turkey continue to fall. Touching on the current Cyprus negotiations, Karamanlis said that they were going through a sensitive period, adding, “I want to emphasize Greece’s commitment to help reach a resolution on the island.” In related news, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that Ankara was ready to cooperate with Greece’s new post-election government. Erdogan added that developments in Turkish-Greek relations over the last four years had been satisfactory and that he hoped this would continue. /Aksam/
CICEK: “WE EXPECT ATHENS’ NEW ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE A POSITIVE STANCE ON CYPRUS”
Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that Ankara was expecting Greece’s New Democracy Party, the winner of Sunday’s elections, to take a positive stance on the Cyprus issue and act with good will. Stressing that Athens’ new administration would directly affect the ongoing negotiating process on Cyprus, Cicek reiterated the Turkish government’s desire for a just and permanent resolution on the island. /Turkiye/
POWELL TRIES TO SOOTHE ANKARA’S CONCERNS ON IRAQI CONSTITUTION
Following yesterday’s signing of an interim Constitution by Iraq’s Governing Council, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul sent a letter to US Secretary of State Colin Powell expressing Turkey’s concerns over the document. Later telephoning Gul on the matter, Powell said that there was no need for worry. He stated that when a permanent constitution is being drafted, there would be close consultations with Iraq’s neighbors. Meanwhile, US representative in Iraq Ambassador Ron Newmann is set to arrive in Ankara today as directed by Powell. Newmann is expected to hold meetings with Turkish officials concerning the details of Iraq’s interim Constitution as well as economic matters. In related news, speaking to reporters after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that Ankara had reservations about the interim Constitution and was continuing contacts with related countries on the matter. /Turkiye/
PARTIES CONTINUE CAMPAIGNS FOR MARCH 28 LOCAL POLLS
Party leaders yesterday continued seeking voter support ahead of the March 28 local elections. Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday campaigned in the capital Ankara, while True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar sought voter support in Balikesir. In addition, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli campaigned in Istanbul yesterday. /Turkiye/
BABACAN TOUTS TURKISH INVESTMENT MEETING NEXT WEEK
State Minister Ali Babacan yesterday held a press conference touting next Monday’s meeting of the Turkish Investment Consultative Council in Istanbul. Stating that the council was formed by top directors of some 10-20 multinational companies, Babacan told reporters that representatives from 11 countries are also expected to attend the meeting, whose primary purpose is promoting Turkey’s great economic potential to foreign investors. Babacan added that World Bank President James Wolfensohn and IMF European Department Director Michael Deppler are expected to be among the meeting’s participants, which will be held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. /Sabah/