DIYARBAKIR - Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, said on Monday that they thought that democratization and modernization process started by Turkey's EU accession bid had a serious effect on the Southeastern Anatolia Region.
Verheugen, who proceeded to southeastern province of Diyarbakir after completing his meetings in Ankara, visited Diyarbakir Governor Nusret Miroglu.
In this meeting, Verheugen expressed pleasure to exchange views with Diyarbakir Governor, and stressed importance of this visit for him.
Verheugen stated that this was his first visit to this region and this city, and noted, ''my visit has a special goal. And, this goal is to monitor the situation here, and learn views of people (living here) about the reform process. I will learn how reforms have affected lives of citizens, and I will see whether or not there are deficiencies regarding reforms.''
''EU attaches particular importance to Diyarbakir and this region, because, clashes had occurred in this region for many years. Also, this region has some economic differences (when compared with the others). And, therefore, we think that democratization and modernization process started by Turkey's EU accession bid has a serious effect on here,'' Verheugen added.
(BRC) 06.09.2004