Cicek: We Are Surprised At Proposal Of A Different Negotiation Process

BERLIN - Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said on Thursday, ''we are surprised at the proposal of a different negotiation process while the EU seems to have opened its doors to Turkey.''
Speaking at a conference held by Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) in German capital Berlin on ''Europe Waits for Turkey'', Cicek said, ''such a situation contradicts the EU's principle of non-discrimination. Europe has the opportunity of shaping its future through free will of individuals instead of military force for the first time after years. Europe should not miss it.''
''Turkey has made a series of radical changes in the last four years to put into force the EU's fundamental values. We describe this process as a silent revolution. Turkey is determined and sincere about adjusting itself to the EU's criteria and norms. The European Commission ruled in its Progress Report that Turkey has fulfilled the political criteria. Now, we expect the EU Council formed by heads of state and government of the EU-member countries to open entry talks with Turkey on December 17th without any delay,'' he said.
Cicek noted, ''in its recommendatory decision, the European Commission proposed a different negotiation process with Turkey. We understand the EU's desire to carry out the negotiation process more effectively and take some measures to monitor the process. However, proposal of different criteria and methods for Turkey is not a constructive and objective approach. This proposal contradicts the decisions made at EU's Helsinki Summit in 1999 to treat Turkey equally as the other candidate states. We are surprised at the proposal of a different negotiation process while the EU seems to have opened its doors to Turkey.''
(UK-MS) 21.10.2004