ANKARA (AA) - Britain's ambassador in Ankara Peter Westmacott has indicated today (Monday) that Britain would assume the role of the term presidency in the European Union and that Turkey has some positive expectations accordingly. ''What you have to do must be done on time. During our term presidency, we have to be objective. Therefore, there should not be great pressure put on Britain,'' said Westmacott.
Westmacott was a guest speaker at a panel discussion, named ''The Future of Turkey-EU Relations,'' and co-sponsored by Turkish Parliamentarians Union and Ankara University EU Works Center.
Turkey has done its homework vis-a-vis the Copenhagen criteria and Cyprus, but, unfortunately, the EU did not do anything to lift the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, noted Westmacott. ''Nonetheless, we are experiencing an historical moment. We have left behind December 17 and are approaching October 3rd. As Britain, I am proud of our efforts in the process,'' told Westmacott.
Westmacott stressed that there is still a lot that Turkey must do. The Copenhagen Criteria must be followed step by step, he underlined. Westmacott noted that issues such as torture, the beating of women by police at the Taksim square and the decision of a local administrator on Orhan Pamuk are still issues that Turkey has to work with. What is important is that the authorities give the proper and timely response and take precautions in order not to repeat the incidents, expressed Westmacott.
2005-05-09