ANKARA - Dutch Ambassador in Ankara Sjoerd Gosses said on Thursday that Europeans have various concerns over discussions in Turkey on adultery, stressing that adultery was not considered as a crime in any of the European Union (EU) country.
Gosses replied to the questions of reporters in a reception which was hosted to mark the national day of Ukraine.
Gosses said EU countries' ambassadors to Turkey met today within the scope of regular monthly meetings, noting that EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen's visit to Turkey, Turkey report of former Finland President Martti Ahtisaari, and discussions on adultery were taken up at the meeting.
Recalling that Verheugen made some statements on the issue, Gosses said at the meeting they discussed concerns in EU member countries on this issue.
Gosses said citizens of EU member countries asked some questions about what have been going on in Turkey about this issue. He said considering adultery as crime did not seem logical when the progress made in modernization is taken into consideration.
''This is of course an internal affair of Turkey. We respect it,'' Gosses said, nevertheless he noted that they have concerns that this issue could be used by the sections who do not want Turkey within the EU.
Asked if they would ask for Turkish government to make a change on this issue, Gosses said they did not have such a right.
(AY) 09.09.2004