ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday hosted dinner in honor of ambassadors of European Union (EU) member countries to Turkey.
Speaking at the dinner Erdogan said the Netherlands would take over the EU term presidency from Ireland at this month's summit, stating that they wanted to see that the steps taken by Turkey to meet political criteria and the steps taken on Cyprus issue were evaluated well.
Erdogan said, ''we expect a decision to be taken in December which will facilitate opening of negotiations in the first months of 2005.''
Erdogan said Turkey has not yet reached the point it targeted on the way of EU membership, noting, ''however, we have passed very important turning points.''
Erdogan thanked to EU Commission and EU member countries for the support they expended to Turkey's efforts.
Stating that Turkey carried out very fruitful studies with EU Term President Ireland, Erdogan said he was sure that the same close and constructive cooperation would continue with the Netherlands which will take over the term presidency on July 1.
Recalling that EU Heads of State and Government Summit would convene next week, Erdogan said the summit would be the last opportunity to stress the political support toward Turkey before announcement of EU Commission's report about Turkey.
Giving information about the legal arrangements made by Turkey since 1999 to accelerate Turkey's adjustment process to the EU, Erdogan said seven comprehensive adjustment packages were issued within this framework.
Erdogan said re-trial rights were given in 19 cases, bold steps were taken in cultural rights, courses were opened for languages and dialects apart from Turkish, and that TRT today started broadcast in five separate languages and dialects apart from Turkish.
Erdogan said important progress was recorded in arrest and custody regulations, stating that Turkey had zero tolerance to torture and maltreatment.
Stating that there was a significant decrease in applications made to European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in this respect, noting that the number of applications dropped to the level of other European countries.
Erdogan said constitutional change including issues like gender equality, press freedom, abolution of State Security Courts (DGMs) and change on Higher Education Board (YOK) was made last month, and noted that the government was making preparations for putting the changes into practice.
Erdogan said, ''of course we may have deficiencies like everybody. The important thing is whether or not we have recorded necessary determination and progress regarding those which we had to meet to start the negotiations. We expect the Commission to make a clear recommendation in October as it had been determined in 2002 Copenhagen Summit.''
(AY) 07.06.2004