CHICAGO - ''Turkish Parliament comprised of representatives of the people will make the best decision regarding Turkish penal code (TCK),'' Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday.
Gul who is in Chicago met representatives of Turkish community after attending Turkish festival organized in this city .
Replying to questions about TCK and full membership process to the European Union, Gul said ''it was natural to make decision through discussions in a democratic country''. He said, ''our government, led by Justice & Development Party (AK Party) will start negotiations with the EU. Intensive negotiations will start, but we do not know how long this will take.''
''We expect to get a start date from the EU for entry talks without any condition. This will take place at the end of the year 2004. We never say all reforms were fulfilled and everything has ended in Turkey. We will continue to make efforts,'' Gul added.
He said, ''we make those reforms because they are our political responsibility. Reforms cannot be achieved with a mentality of making concessions to the EU.''
Emphasizing that TCK was a very important law, Gul said, ''we felt upset that whole TCK law was left aside because of an article and without taking into consideration all other elements of the law.''
Reminding the earlier discussions on Article 312 related to freedom of expression, Gul said, ''this issue will be discussed and will be included in the draft according to Parliament decision. Every country has its peculiarities. Such kind of differences exist everywhere. Discussing those differences is important.''
-AGREEMENT WITH BAYKAL-
Foreign Minister Gul stressed that Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal told him that everything could be discussed. ''He said a joint motion could be submitted about the article (on adultery) that is under debate, if necessary,'' Gul pointed out.
Replying to questions of reporters on EU Gul said, ''I believe that Turkey will get a start date from the EU for entry negotiations at the end of this year. Critical threshold has already been passed.''
Asked if he expected EU Commission's report to be issued on October 6th, Gul said, ''this is something which the commission will decide.''
-TURKISH CITIZENS ABDUCTED IN IRAQ-
When asked about the Turkish citizens abducted in Iraq, Gul said, ''we are closely monitoring the developments. Unfortunately the troublesome situation continues. We make necessary contacts.''
(AY-ULG) 20.09.2004