E.U.: We Cannot Start Entry Negotiations With Turkey Unless Ankara Adopts Penal Code

BRUSSELS - The European Union cannot start entry negotiations with Turkey unless Ankara adopts a reform of its penal code (TCK), a European Commission spokesman said on Monday.
Commission spokesman Jean-Christophe Filori told a news briefing that the Commission could not recommend in its report starting of negotiations unless the penal code is adopted.
Stating that the new TCK was one of the most important pieces of the reform process, Filori said, ''the Commission will make it clear that the negotiations cannot start if the new penal code is not adopted by the 6th of October.''
Filori said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen has not yet received the explanation he expected from Turkey regarding new TCK.
Filori said recent developments made it difficult for them to make a decision, stating that this also strengthened fear and objections in some EU circles.
Filori said it would take time to reflect to the report the new TCK, if it is issued. He said the changes (in the report) will depend on the amendments that would be made to the new TCK.
Verheugen, who met Turkey's permanent representative to the EU Oguz Demiralp on Saturday, said, ''so far our assessment was based on the assumption that the penal code would be adopted before the Commission will make its decision.''
(AY-ULG) 20.09.2004