Verheugen - Gul Joint Press Conference

PROGRESS REPORT TO BE MADE PUBLIC IN OCTOBER WILL BE FAIR AND NEUTRAL, VERHEUGEN SAYS
ANKARA - Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner, Enlargement, said that the decision that would be taken about Turkey in December could not be delayed, stressing that the Progress Report (of the EU Commission) on Turkey that would be made public in October ''would be fair and neutral''.
Verheugen and Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul held a joint press conference after their meeting today.
Stressing that his visit to Turkey was very important ahead of the Progress Report that would be made public soon, Verheugen added that ''a new stipulation for Turkey to start entry negotiations with the EU was out of question''.
GUL: ''TURKEY WAITS FOR A NEUTRAL AND FAIR REPORT FROM EU''
''Turkey waits for an objective and fair report from the European Union (Commission) in October,'' Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said.
Gul said, ''Turkey did its best and would continue to do so.''
Gul told the press that Turkey attributed great importance to the visit (of Mr. Verheugen) and stressed that the visit coincided with a period when EU is about to complete its studies on Turkey.
Recalling that the term in office of Mr. Romano Prodi, actual president of the EU Commission, will expire soon, Gul said, ''now one of the most important decisions of the Commission would be about Turkey.''
Gul said that he and Verheugen assessed objectively all the reforms executed in Turkey since 1999 to meet EU criteria.
''Turkey has come to a critical threshold,'' Gul said noting that all the reforms were made to meet the needs of Turkish people and to upgrade Turkey's standards. He recalled that he had told Verheugen at their first meeting two years ago that ''theirs would be a reformist government''.
''Reforms will continue after starting of entry talks and even after becoming a full member (of the EU),'' Gul added.
He also expressed his appreciation to Verheugen and his colleagues for supporting reforms in Turkey and thanked for the cooperation of the Commission with the (AKP) government.
-''REFORMS TO CONTINUE''-
Asked about Turkey's plans for future reforms, Gul said this was an ongoing process stating that, ''the 'OK. We will get off at this station, everything is over' approach is not valid''.
Emphasizing that Turkish Parliament would soon convene at an emergency session, Gul said Turkish Penal Code (TCK) would be discussed and the bill on establishment of courts of appeals would be taken up.
Foreign Minister Gul said Code of Criminal Procedure (CMUK) and law on women's status will also be issued expeditiously.
''We know our deficiencies better than anybody else. It is not right to expect anybody from outside to say anything. Reform process will continue to further strengthen Turkey and for the prosperity of Turkish people,'' Gul noted.
Answering another question, Gul expressed belief that Progress Report in October will be ''objective and fair''. He also said, ''Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities and will continue to do so. We believe that this will be assessed in the best way.''
''We also believe that there will be a recommendation (as regards full membership of Turkey) together with the report,'' Gul added.
-CYPRUS-
Asked whether or not Turkey's expectations on Cyprus were conveyed during the meeting with Verheugen, Gul said Turkish Cypriots cast their votes listening carefully to the voice of the UN and EU, however the Greek Cypriot side failed to do so.
Gul said in case the EU fails to accept the regulations to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots, ''the side responding affirmatively to the calls (of the EU) would be punished, and the other which said no would be rewarded.''
Gul said this would damage the prestige of the EU.
VERHEUGEN RULES OUT ANY NEW CONDITION OR DEMAND TO START ENTRY NEGOTIATIONS
Speaking at the press conference, Verheugen recalled that this was his last visit to Turkey as Commissioner.
''This last official visit has a special meaning for me,'' Verheugen said, noting that, ''we have analyzed reforms and relevant developments since 1999.''
He said ''may be the most important event in the last five-year period was the coming of the actual Turkish government (AK Party) to power''.
''We really had a very different situation,'' Verheugen said.
Verheugen said, ''we have created a political momentum both in Turkey and the EU about Turkey's membership in cooperation with the AK Party government'' and noted ''this was a success''.
Stressing that Turkey came to the critical period in full membership talks, Verheugen said the decision to be made in December (on Turkey) was extremely important. He said ''this decision could not be delayed and should not be delayed'', adding that ''the report was mainly prepared''.
Verheugen said Turkey put many reforms into force, pointing out that the judgment would be ''fair and honest''.
''There are still several difficulties as regards implementation process of the reforms, since they are not completed yet,'' Verheugen said, but described them as natural.
He said Gul's statement saying that the reform process would continue was also very important.
Verheugen said December report would assess the progress recorded (in Turkey) since 1999, and noted that this report would also mention when and how the negotiations would start.
Verheugen said he was proud to contribute to the positive developments in Turkey, and added, ''I hope this process will result to a successful outcome.''
WE ARE LOYAL TO PROMISES MADE TO TURKISH CYPRIOTS, VERHEUGEN SAYS
When reminded that the European Council and the EU Commission had some disagreements on Direct Trade Regulation which aimed to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots, Verheugen said that ''this issue should not affect the process of Turkey's accession to the EU'', stressing that ''there was not a political link between these two issues''.
Recalling that ''the Commission submitted its proposal on the Regulation'', Verheugen said that ''this proposal was at the table of the Council now''. Verheugen noted that ''they did not have any intention to change their proposal'', adding that ''all EU organizations should make known their position on this issue before the end of October''.
Verheugen said that ''EU countries and institutions promised that economic isolation of Turkish Cypriots would be ended'', stating that ''they would continue to do their utmost on this issue and they would try to convince the Council''.
When asked ''whether or not recognition of Greek Cypriot Administration was a necessity or stipulation for Turkey to start entry negotiations with the EU'', Verheugen said that ''they never put this issue as a stipulation'', noting that ''there was not any new condition or demand''.
VERHEUGEN DECLINES TO COMMENT ON DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ADULTERY
''I think it is not appropriate to put any pressure on Turkish side,'' Verheugen said, stating that they would examine the issue and make an assessment after completion of the new TCK (Turkish Penal Code).
Asked about torture, Verheugen said this was one of the issues they attached importance. He said the Turkish government adopted 'zero tolerance' policy (as regards torture), adding that they have many sources to get information about the issue.
Verheugen said they are aware that the government is working to solve the problem, and added that they got information about some abuses or torture cases, but that they had difficulty in making a judgement whether or not they are individual or systematic cases.
Verheugen said ''deficiencies that would be found out in implementation would be reflected to the Progress Report''.
When a journalist asked if there is only one sentence or a long expression in recommendation section of the Progress Report, Verheugen said, ''Turkey is a very big country so one sentence will not be adequate.''
Verheugen said the message would be ''clear and firm''.

ERDOGAN-VERHEUGEN MEETING
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that ''there could be some deficiencies and problems as regards the implementation (of laws)'', stating that ''no one should expect those issues to be solved overnight''.
Erdogan met Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner, Enlargement, on Monday.
Verheugen said that there would not be a new list of conditions, noting that Turkey overcame the critical threshold.
Sources quoted Erdogan as telling Verheugen in the meeting that decisions to be taken (by the EU Commission and the European Council) in October and December were very important for Turkish people, noting that Turkish government did its best.
''Turkish people attached great importance to Turkey's accession to the EU'', Erdogan stressed.
Stating that the government took important steps on the path to the EU, Erdogan said that Turkish parliament would convene on September 14 to debate a draft bill to reform Turkish Penal Code (TCK). He added that many laws would be enacted before December.
Erdogan noted that ''EU leaders would see once again the will and determination of Turkey with those steps to be taken in our parliament''.
-''THERE WILL NOT BE ANY NEW LIST''-
Verheugen said he was grateful for the cooperation and friendship shown by Erdogan and his government, so far.
Verheugen told Erdogan: ''we had a very positive and fruitful cooperation with Turkey (under your government). Turkey made considerable progress under your leadership both in the sense of democratization and modernization. All those developments will be reflected to the report in a fair and positive manner. I assure you in this respect. As you will remember we had sent you a list at the beginning of this year pertaining to steps that should be taken. We are now pleased to see that all of them are fulfilled. There will not be a new list. Of course putting the reforms into force will take time. However, we are very pleased to see that Turkey passed the critical threshold. Next is a problem of time.''
-SENSITIVE ISSUES-
Verheugen mentioned gender equality, women rights and honor killings among the issues which the EU Commission would particularly be sensitive on.
Verheugen said the Commission also attributed importance to the developments about the rights of non-Muslims and urged the government to be more sensitive on the issue.
Verheugen said, ''there is a datum on the table for the final decision. It will be an objective and fair judgement. I am definitely against any postponement or suspension of the decision.''
In reply Erdogan said, ''the issues you have pointed out have been solved to a great extend. However, as I mentioned before, there may be some problems in the practice.''
(EÖ-AY-ULG) 06.09.2004