Jansen: European Commission Is Aware Of Progress Turkey Has Recorded

ANKARA - European Commission (EC) Adjustment, Social Dialogue and Social Rights Director Bernard Jansen has said that Turkey had made significant reforms and the EC was aware of the progress that Turkey had recorded.
Speaking at a symposium on ``National Social Policy in Process of Adjustment to European Union`` at the Hilton Hotel in Istanbul on Monday, Jansen said that 2004 was a turning point for the EU`s history.
Jansen recalled that ten countries had joined the EU in 2004 and they had reached compromise on EU Constitution last week.
Noting that second half of 2004 would be very important for Turkey, Jansen said that the EC Director General had visited Turkey in March 2004 and met with Turkish authorities.
Jansen stressed that Turkey had recorded a significant progress and the EC was absolutely aware of it.
Noting that the EU had a wide acquis in terms of social policy, Jansen said that it was necessary to focus on several steps in line with the Copenhagen criteria. Jansen said that assembly and association right, unionist and industrial efforts were important for opening of social policy negotiations.
Jansen added that they would do their best to help Turkey further come closer to EU standards.
(MS-AÖ) 21.06.2004