Cicek Expresses Hope A Date Will Be Set For Turkey To Start Membership Negotiations With E.U. At End Of 2004

ANKARA - Turkish Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday that a date should be set for Turkey at the end of 2004 to start its membership negotiations with the European Union (EU).
Following the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Cicek told reporters that Turkey recorded very important progress on fulfillment of political criteria that was precondition of accession to the EU.
Cicek stated that ministers were informed about Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's talks during the European Council in Brussels.
''The government and the parliament have work to do. Undoubtedly, we are pleased with developments and results that have taken place so far. We know that we have work to do. We hope that a date will be set for Turkey at the end of 2004. A date should be set. Because, Turkey has recorded very important progress on fulfillment of political criteria that is precondition of accession to the EU,'' he noted.
(EÖ-AÖ) 21.06.2004