ANKARA - Dutch Ambassador in Ankara Sjoerd Gosses expressed his pleasure over THA stance of former deputy of the outlawed Democracy Party (DEP) Leyla Zana and her friends toward terrorism.
Former deputies of DEP hosted a luncheon in honor of European Union (EU) envoys to Ankara.
After the lunch Gosses made a brief statement to journalists saying that EU was pleased over the release of former parliamentarians of the outlawed DEP.
Gosses said they exchanged views during the lunch and added that they decided to meet again.
Asked if they were satisfied over stance of Zana and her friends toward terrorism, the Dutch Ambassador said they were.
He said that according to the EU, terrorism is a wrong way.
He added that Turkey was proceeding towards a new future, stressing that it was modernizing and that democracy was in action.
Ambassadors from The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Ireland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Estonia attended the luncheon. EU Commission's Representative in Turkey Hansjorg Kretschmer was also present. On the other hand Zana stressed that people in southeastern region expressed with determination that actual problems could not be solved by means of violence and weapon, but through peaceful dialogue.
Stating that they were ready to do their best to prevent sufferings from occurring again in Turkey, Zana noted that they wanted to open a blank page.
Talking in favor of Turkey's accession to the EU, Zana said that a decision for giving Turkey a firm start date for entry talks at the end of this year would strengthen the hand of those who are in favor of transformation and peace.
(AY-ULG) 05.07.2004