ANKARA - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said on Thursday that Turkish government and state was sincere and resolved to meet and apply Copenhagen criteria.
Sahin received Hansjorg Kretschmer, the head of the European Commission Representation to Turkey.
Speaking after the meeting, Sahin said what Turkey should do within the scope of studies to adjust to EU were written in the National Program. Sahin said important steps have been taken with respect to the program.
Sahin said several difficulties were experienced in practice from time to time, and noted that this happened because the laws were new.
Sahin said Council of Ministers every week reviewed what had happened and that National Program was the main agenda item.
Sahin said he and Kretchmer discussed solution of problems of minority foundations, amendments to Turkish Penal Code, legal changes on cultural rights and independence of jurisdiction.
Kretschmer in his part said they discussed regulation studies and implementation of them. He said the government to a great extend met needs of the EU despite several deficiencies.
(AY-AÖ) 11.03.2004