ANKARA - Government Spokesman & Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said on Monday that Turkey considered EU membership process as a state and modernization project.
Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Cicek said matters concerning the EU membership process were discussed at the meeting and added that, "the government tries to fulfill its obligations and commitments with respect to EU full membership perspective."
Cicek said Foreign Minister & Chief Negotiator for the EU talks Ali Babacan gave information to the cabinet members about the issue.
Cicek said some legal arrangements were needed for new chapter headings in addition to the chapter headings that were opened.
Commenting on the operations against the terrorist organization in north of Iraq, Cicek said, "it is of key importance that the target is only the terrorist PKK organization and very serious works have been carried out not to cause any civilian casualties."
"Turkey suffered the most from the chaos in Iraq. Terrorist organization launches attacks from the camps in north of Iraq to Turkey. Turkey`s target is very clear. Turkish Armed Forces conducted innumerable operations to the region since the beginning of the incidents in question. The Turkish state, government and armed forces are very sensitive and careful not to cause any civilian casualties," he added.
Cicek said diplomatic and political efforts were underway to make the developments on the matter to be better understood by the world.