ANKARA - ''The government and the public recently become aware of the fact that decision of the European Union (EU) made on December 17th summit was not a decision carrying Turkey to full membership,'' Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said on Monday.
Baykal received European Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn and an accompanying delegation.
Baykal, who held a press conference after the meeting, stated that negotiation process with the EU, reforms, and democratization process were discussed at the meeting.
Baykal said France, by making a constitutional amendment, decided to resort to referendum for Turkey's membership, stressing this was an element making Turkey's full membership difficult. ''We also felt uneasy over the decision to propose Turkey 'privileged partnership','' Baykal noted.
Urging the EU to make a clear statement immediately, Baykal said, ''Turkey's relationship with the EU should be toward full membership. You should state that you do not consider any hesitation appropriate.''
CHP leader stated that concrete steps should be made within the framework of a new understanding and project that will refresh Turkish-EU relations.
''We have told them that democratization process in Turkey would continue without interruption. As the opposition party, we will pursue implementation of the arrangements and reforms,'' Baykal noted.
Stating that Rehn gave information about the talks and the timetable, Baykal said, ''we have learned that the decision regarding the negotiation framework would be taken in June, and the revised Accession Partnership Accord would be announced in autumn.''