VERHEUGEN: THERE ARE NO FURTHER OBSTACLES ON TURKEY'S PATH TO EU
BRUSSELS - European Union (EU) Commissioner Guenter Verheugen for Enlargement said on Thursday, after his meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that there were no further obstacles on Turkey's path to EU entry talks.
Holding a joint news conference with Prime Minister Erdogan, Verheugen said, ''this was again a very constructive meeting. We have been able to find solutions for the remaining outstanding problems.''
Noting that they would be able to make clear recommendations for Turkey now, Verheugen said that there were not anymore articles on the table that should be fulfilled by Turkey.
ERDOGAN: WE ARE DETERMINED TO TAKE SERIOUS STEPS
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''it was a very constructive meeting. It will constitute a very fruitful ground for the Progress Report to be released by the EU Commission on October 6th.''
''Actually, we have carried out very serious efforts in the last two years. We have taken reformist decisions with the aim of making Turkey a member of the EU,'' he said.
Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters, ''The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has fulfilled its commitments in Turkey's EU membership process without any faults so far. Now, the phase of implementation has begun. We are also determined to complete this phase successfully. We thank Mr. Verheugen for his significant support in this process.''
''Now, we have been dealing with the drafts about appellate courts, the Code of Penal Procedure and the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Also, the Code of Penal Procedure and the draft related to the execution of sentences have been before sub-committees. We are determined to take serious steps in the EU membership process,'' he added.
VERHEUGEN: WE HAVE DETERMINED THERE IS NO SYSTEMATIC TORTURE
Verheugen said friendship, confidence and closeness between Erdogan and him greatly helped to the resolution of some problems, stressing that both knew very well that they may trust each other.
''The assurances I received today from my friend will allow me to make a very clear recommendation (on the start of entry talks),'' Verheugen said.
Recalling that he pointed to several questions in the recent visit to Turkey, Verheugen said he stated how much important is the adoption of the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) regarding the fulfillment of political criteria.
Verheugen also said he was now confident after additional checks by Commission experts that there was no ground to accuse Turkey of ''systematic torture''.
Verheugen went on to say: ''There are no further conditions that Turkey must fulfill to enable the European Commission to make a clear recommendation about when to open these talks.''
Verheugen thanked Erdogan for the ''strong leadership'' he displayed, and said ''Turkey further approached to the EU thanks to Erdogan''.
(AY-ULG) 23.09.2004