ANKARA - Foreign Trade & Development Minister Paula Lehtomaki of Finland said that she guessed the European Union (EU) Commission might give a time frame to Turkey (to complete its shortcomings) till December, in its report expected to be released on Oct. 6th.
Lehtomaki held today a press conference in Ankara and gave information on her meetings.
Stating that Turkey had a dynamic market, Lehtomaki said that in her meetings she had insisted on trade volume between Turkey and Finland and also on Turkey's relations with the EU.
Noting that she met Turkish State Ministers Ali Babacan and Kursad Tuzmen as well as Environment & Forestry Minister Osman Pepe, Lehtomaki said that Turkish government and people were willing to become member of the EU.
Lehtomaki noted that Finland exported goods at the range of 374 million euros to Turkey and imported merchandise amounting to 216 million euros, and stated that nearly 50,000 Finnish tourists visit Turkey every year.
Answering a question, Lehtomaki said that Turkish officials and she discussed Turkish Penal Code (TCK) draft, stressing that it was important to find a solution to this problem.
Replying to a question on the report of the EU Commission, Finnish minister said that progress report would include not only TCK but also other matters, stressing however that TCK was an important issue.
Upon a question on making adultery a crime, Lehtomaki said they supported family values in her country, but they could not defend those values through the penal code.
(EÖ-ULG) 22.09.2004