E.U. Commissioner For Trade Says Customs Union Can't Be A Matter Of Bargaining

ANKARA - European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy said on Thursday that Customs Union could not be made a matter of bargaining.
Lamy told a press conference that he attended Conference of Euro-Mediterranean (EUROMED) Trade Ministers, had bilateral meetings, and worked on the progress report the EU Commission would announce in October.
He met representatives of private sectors, non-governmental organizations and Turkish business world, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, chairmen of Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Trade Commissions and leaders of opposition parties in Istanbul and Ankara, Lamy said.
Answering a question, Lamy said that he did not think Turkish Airlines (THY) decided to buy 36 Airbus planes for political reasons.
Lamy stressed that Turkey undoubtedly had taken significant steps to meet EU Criteria, and recorded progress in political reform, rule of law, democratization and minority rights.
Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan received Lamy after the press conference.
(BRC) 22.07.2004